3 syllables: Ob, e, lisk. Stress on Ob.
OH-buh-lisk
/ˈoʊbəlɪsk/
Obelisk is pronounced OH-buh-lisk (/ˈoʊbəlɪsk/). It has three syllables (Ob-e-lisk), with the stress on "Ob". Obelisk is a tall, four-sided, tapering monument with a pyramidion at the top, traditionally erected as a commemorative or ceremonial feature. The term denotes a vertical, stone structure that rises from a square or rectangular base, often carved with inscriptions. In modern usage, it can describe any tall, slender monument serving as a landmark or symbol.
nounObelisk is a tall, four-sided, tapering monument with a pyramidion at the top, traditionally erected as a commemorative or ceremonial feature. The term denotes a vertical, stone structure that rises from a square or rectangular base, often carved with inscriptions. In modern usage, it can describe any tall, slender monument serving as a landmark or symbol.
- You’ll often stress the wrong syllable; fix by placing primary stress on the first syllable and keeping the middle vowel quick (OB-uh-lisk). - The middle vowel should be a short, relaxed schwa; avoid pronouncing it as a clear /ɪ/ or /iː/. - The final /-lisk/ must be crisp; avoid turning it into /-liss/ or /-liskk/ by keeping the /s/ and /k/ connected. Practice with minimal pairs and recording to confirm the cadence. - Common misreads: adding a silent second syllable; keep it as three clean syllables (ˈɒ.bə.lɪsk).
"The ancient Egyptians erected a granite obelisk near the temple entrance."
"A modern city plaza features a polished obelisk commemorating the founding of the settlement."
"The museum’s new wing is marked by a towering glass obelisk that catches the afternoon sun."
Pronounce it as /ˈɒ.bə.lɪsk/ in UK English or /ˈɑː.bə.lɪsk/ in US English, with the primary stress on the first syllable: OB-ə-lisk. The middle vowel is a schwa, and the final consonant cluster is -lisk. Mouth positioning: start with a relaxed open front vowel for the first syllable, then a schwa, then a crisp /l/ followed by /ɪ/ and /sk/. Audio references: you can check Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries’ audio. Remember the second syllable is unstressed, so it’s quicker than the first audio beat.”,
Common mistakes: 1) Overpronouncing the middle syllable as a full vowel instead of a quick schwa; 2) Dropping the final /-sk/ or turning it into /-s/ or /-skk/. Correction: keep /bə.lɪsk/ with a short, relaxed /ə/ and a crisp /l/ and /sk/ sequence. Practice by saying OB-uh-lick slowly, then speed up while keeping the schwa and the final consonant cluster tight.
In US English, you’ll likely hear /ˈɑː.bə.lɪsk/ with a broad /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ in the first syllable and a clearly enunciated final /sk/. UK English tends toward /ˈɒ.bə.lɪsk/ or /ˈəʊ.bə.lɪsk/ depending on region, with a slightly shorter first vowel; AU keeps a similar pattern to UK but with fewer vowel distinctions. Across accents, the rhotic vs non-rhotic influence is minimal here, but the vowel quality in the first syllable and the triplet /ə.lɪ/ can shift subtly.” ,
Two main challenges: the unstressed middle vowel often becomes a schwa, which can be misheard or mispronounced as a full vowel; and the final consonant cluster /-lɪsk/ requires precise lip-tipple and tongue position to avoid turning it into /-lizk/ or /-lisk/. Focus on keeping the /ə/ short and the /sk/ clean, avoiding lingering vowel length in the middle syllable.
Yes. The word has primary stress on the first syllable: OB-ə-lisk. The second syllable is unstressed, fast, and sounds like a quick /ə/. The final syllable carries /lɪsk/. Pay attention to keeping the first vowel broad and the final cluster crisp. The stress pattern is consistent across dialects, but the vowel quality in the first syllable can vary slightly by accent.
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- US: aim for /ˈɑː.bə.lɪsk/ with a broad /ɑː/ on the first syllable; keep rhotics minimal here, as the word doesn’t rhyme with an /r/ sound. - UK: /ˈɒ.bə.lɪsk/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and a crisper /ə/ in the middle; the final /sk/ remains tight. - AU: /ˈɒ.bə.lɪsk/ similar to UK, but with subtle vowel flattening; watch for a less pronounced rhotic influence and a rounded first vowel. - IPA references: compare with dictionaries like Cambridge, Oxford for audio cues; Forvo can demonstrate native pronunciations across dialects.
Obelisk comes from the Greek word obeliskos, meaning a spit or needle, from obelos, meaning a spit, skewer, or pointed pillar. The term entered Late Latin as obeliscus and then Old French as obelisque before appearing in English in the 16th century. The original sense in Greek architecture referred to a pointed, slender piece of stone. In Egyptian architecture, obelisks were monolithic shafts with a pyramidal top, often associated with the sun god Ra. By the Renaissance and later, obelisks in Europe adopted a more inclusive sense to describe tall, tapering, freestanding monuments. The word’s evolution reflects cross-cultural admiration for Egyptian design and a broader architectural vocabulary for ceremonial verticals. The first known use in English traces to the 16th century, with works like Johannes B. Angelus (16th c.) documenting the symbol, and later authors popularizing obelisks in urban landscapes as commemorative structures. Today, the term also covers modern sculptural towers that echo the ancient form.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Obelisk" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Obelisk"
-isk sounds
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