4 syllables: Nu, cle, ol, us. Stress on cle.
NYOO-klee-uh-luhs
/ˈnjuː.kliː.ə.ləs/
Nucleolus is pronounced NYOO-klee-uh-luhs (/ˈnjuː.kliː.ə.ləs/). It has four syllables (Nu-cle-ol-us), with the stress on "cle". Nucleolus is a small structure within the cell’s nucleus where ribosome components are assembled. It is not surrounded by a membrane and is distinguished by dense staining. The term combines nuclear and nucleolus roots, reflecting its location and function in ribosome biogenesis.
nounNucleolus is a small structure within the cell’s nucleus where ribosome components are assembled. It is not surrounded by a membrane and is distinguished by dense staining. The term combines nuclear and nucleolus roots, reflecting its location and function in ribosome biogenesis.
How to Pronounce Nucleolus
"The nucleolus becomes visibly prominent under certain cellular conditions."
"Researchers studied the nucleolus to understand ribosome production."
"In some diagrams, the nucleolus is highlighted to indicate active RNA synthesis."
Pronounce as ˈnjuː.kli.ɒ.ləs (US) or ˈnjuː.kli.ɒ.ləs (UK/AU). Stress falls on the first or second syllable depending on regional guidance, but in practice, you’ll emphasize the second syllable: nu-CLE-o-lus. A helpful cue: begin with the “new-klee” sound, then a light “oh” before the final “luhs.” Listen for the Myriad pronunciations; aim for a smooth three-syllable rhythm with a light final schwa. IPA: US: ˈnjuː.kli.ə.ləs is also encountered; keep it clear: ˈnjuː.kli.ˌɒ.ləs.
Common errors: pronouncing it as nu-CHE-o-lus, confusing with nucleus; misplacing stress on the first syllable; slurring the middle syllable into a single sound. Correction: articulate three distinct syllables: ˈnjuː.kli.ɒ.ləs, with equal emphasis on the second syllable (the primary stress) and a crisp final syllable. Keep the K sound hard, avoid turning the middle into a long i: don’t say nyoo-CLE-E-uh-lus. Practice by saying ‘new-klee-ol-us’ slowly, then speed up while preserving syllable boundaries.
In US, you’ll hear ˈnjuː.kli.ə.ləs with a rhotic r? No. The US tends to a clearer second syllable with a slightly lighter final -us. UK and AU close: ˈnjuː.kli.ɒ.ləs, with non-rhotacized non-rhotic r-like quality; vowels tend toward open back /ɒ/ in the second syllable; final '-us' often syllabic /əs/. Overall: primary stress on the second syllable, but rhoticity and vowel quality differ subtly: US tends to more tight /ə/, UK/AU more rounded /ɒ/ in the second vowel.
Difficulties come from the three-syllable structure and the sequence -kli- in the middle, where the /kl/ cluster meets the /i/ vowel: avoid turning it into a long Germanic vowel; maintain a light schwa between the last two consonants. Additionally, the -lus ending with /əs/ can blur in rapid speech; keep it crisp as /ləs/ or /lə s/ depending on speed. Focus on the clustering: /njʊ.kli.ɒ.ləs/ (UK) or /ˈnjuː.kli.ə.ləs/ (US). Practice with slow, then normal tempo, maintaining distinct vowels.
Nucleolus has no silent letters; each syllable carries a vowel, contributing to the three-syllable rhythm. Pay attention to the vowel sounds: the first vowel is a long 'u' as in 'new', the second is a short /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ depending on transcription, and the third ends with a clear /ləs/; the challenging part is linking the /kli/ sequence without blending too much into /kluː/ or /klɔː/. Use precise IPA cues and capitalize the second syllable for emphasis.
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The word nucleolus derives from Latin nucleus, meaning ‘kernel, core,’ and Greek -lous (a suffix used in anatomical terms). The root nucleus enters English via Latin, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root nek- meaning ‘to bind, to knit,’ reflecting the idea of a central core. The diminutive -olus implies a smaller version of the nucleus, i.e., a substructure within the nucleus. The term first appears in the scientific literature in the late 19th to early 20th century as cell biologists refined subcellular anatomy. Early investigators used latinized form nucleolus to distinguish the “little nucleus” from the nucleus proper, aligning with contemporaneous naming conventions like nucleolus versus nucleolus. Over time, advances in microscopy and molecular biology clarified that the nucleolus is the site of ribosomal RNA transcription and ribosome assembly, reinforcing its status as a functional, discrete organelle. The nomenclature has persisted even as our understanding of its composition—fibrillar centers, dense fibrillar components, and granular components—has grown more nuanced. In modern texts, nucleolus is almost always capitalized only as a compound noun and used in both singular and plural (“nucleolus” / “nucleoli” for plural).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Nucleolus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Nucleolus"
-lus sounds
-sus sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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