2 syllables: On, yx. Stress on On.
AH-niks
/ˈɑnɪks/
Onyx is pronounced AH-niks (/ˈɑnɪks/). It has two syllables (On-yx), with the stress on "On". Onyx is a hard, glossy, black or banded mineral often used in jewelry and carvings. In geology, it denotes a microcrystalline form of quartz with alternating light and dark bands. The word also appears in heraldry and fashion, sometimes metaphorically to describe something dark and precious.
nounOnyx is a hard, glossy, black or banded mineral often used in jewelry and carvings. In geology, it denotes a microcrystalline form of quartz with alternating light and dark bands. The word also appears in heraldry and fashion, sometimes metaphorically to describe something dark and precious.
"The jeweler set a rare onyx cabochon into a silver pendant."
"Ancient artisans carved onyx for intaglios and cameos."
"Her necklace featured a banded onyx bead strand."
ON-ix with two syllables. IPA US/UK/AU: ˈɒn.ɪks. The first syllable has a short open o as in 'lot' and the second is a quick ‘ix’ with a short i. Place the tongue low and back for the /ɒ/; keep the jaw relatively relaxed and end with a crisp /ks/. Listen for a clear unafflicted stress on the first syllable. You can compare to ‘onyx’ in dictionary audio to confirm the subtle vowel quality.
Two classic errors are pronouncing it as ‘on-icks’ with a long /ɪ/ in the second syllable and overemphasizing the final consonant as a separate syllable. Another mistake is flattening the vowel to a neutral schwa /ə/ in the first syllable. Correct by using a short /ɒ/ in the first syllable and a quick /ɪ/ in the second, ending with /ks/ without adding an extra vowel sound. Practice with minimal pairs to lock the rhythm.
Across US/UK/AU, the word remains two syllables with stress on the first: /ˈɒ.nɪks/. The main variation is vowel quality: in some US dialects, /ɒ/ may approach /ɑ/ or be a bit rounded; UK RP often uses a purer /ɒ/; AU tends to a broad, rounded /ɒ/ with precise /ɪ/ and a crisp /ks/ ending. All share a non-rhotic tendency in many accents, so the /r/ is not involved. The final /ks/ is a consonant cluster that should stay tightly linked to the /ɪ/ without an audible extra vowel.
Because it begins with a short, open back vowel /ɒ/ that's uncommon in some dialects, and ends with a tricky consonant cluster /ks/ that can bleed into the preceding vowel if not crisp. The /n/ in the middle can be subtle when the tone rises, making the word sound like ‘on-iks’ without the crisp final /ks/. It also challenges speakers who habitually voice or devoice final consonants; keep /k/ and /s/ together with a light, explosive release.
Onyx hinges on two quick sounds: the short /ɪ/ in the second syllable and the /ks/ cluster. Ensure the first syllable carries primary stress and begins with a lax, open /ɒ/ (or /ɒ/ near-back). The mouth stays fairly closed after the /n/, with the tongue practicing a light contact for /ɪ/ before the final velar /k/ then the voiceless /s/. In connected speech, you’ll link the syllables without inserting a vowel, so ‘ON-ix’ remains distinct and clean.
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The word onyx comes from the Latin onyx, which itself derives from the Greek ὄνυξ (ónyx) meaning 'claw, fingernail' or 'onyx' the gemstone. In ancient Greek, ónux described a banded, layered form of chalcedony; ancient writers used it for a stone with alternating layers. In Latin literature, onyx was adopted to refer to the same banded mineral, often used in jewelry and seal stones. The term appeared in English by the late Middle Ages, maintaining the sense of a dark, glossy gemstone valued for its aesthetics. Over time, onyx has both literal mineral meaning and symbolic associations with strength and protection, a popular motif in art and fashion. In modern geology and commerce, onyx is specifically recognized as a cryptocrystalline form of quartz with parallel banding (often black and white), distinct from true opals or obsidians, though the historical usage retained broader banded-dark gemstone connotations. First known use in English literature centers on imported gems from the Mediterranean and Near East, reflecting long-standing trade networks in luxury stones.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Onyx" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Onyx" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Onyx"
-nix sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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