2 syllables: out, break. Stress on out.
OWT-brayk
/ˈaʊtˌbɹeɪk/
outbreak is pronounced OWT-brayk (/ˈaʊtˌbɹeɪk/). It has two syllables (out-break), with the stress on "out". An outbreak is a sudden, rapid emergence of a disease or phenomenon within a population, or a sudden onset of something unwelcome. It usually indicates a sharp uptick in cases or occurrences over a short period, prompting investigation or intervention. The term can also describe a sudden eruption or rapid spread of events beyond a benign baseline.
An outbreak is a sudden, rapid emergence of a disease or phenomenon within a population, or a sudden onset of something unwelcome. It usually indicates a sharp uptick in cases or occurrences over a short period, prompting investigation or intervention. The term can also describe a sudden eruption or rapid spread of events beyond a benign baseline.
- You may be tempted to blend the /t/ into the /b/, making a merged /tb/ onset; resist by pausing briefly between /t/ and /b/. - Dropping the second syllable or not releasing the /t/ fully leads to /ˈaʊbrek/ or /ˈaʊt brek/ misunderstandings; keep a crisp transition. - The /aɪ/ or /aʊ/ in the first diphthong can be shortened; ensure the /aʊ/ fully forms before the /t/ release; widen your mouth to produce the diphthong clearly. Practice suggestions: 1) practice with slow tempo; 2) emphasize the /t/ by stopping the air briefly; 3) record and compare with reference.
"The city declared an outbreak of influenza after several clinics reported increased cases."
"Researchers tracked a dengue outbreak that spread across multiple districts."
"News coverage focused on the outbreak and the subsequent public health response."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈaʊtˌbrek/. The first syllable rhymes with 'out' and carries primary stress, with a clear /t/ release before the /brek/. In careful speech, you’ll hear a crisp /t/ and a quick transition to /brek/. IPA: US/UK /ˈaʊtˌbrek/. Mouth: start with a rounded lip position for /aʊ/, then release into a light /t/ + /brek/ cluster; avoid blending /t/ into /b/. Audio reference: listen to medical news anchors or dictionaries like Cambridge for /ˈaʊtˌbrek/.
Common errors: 1) Slurring the /t/ by turning it into a flap (uhd-break). 2) Dropping the second syllable or making /brek/ too short (out-brek). 3) Misplacing stress or softening the /t/ into a stop-release. Correction: articulate a distinct /t/ release between /aʊt/ and /brek/ and keep /brek/ unstressed but clear. Practice with slow drills: /ˈaʊt/ + /brek/ and ensure the /t/ lands crisply before /brek/.
US/UK typically share /ˈaʊtˌbrek/ with strong final /k/; rhoticity doesn’t change the word much. In some Australian speech, you may hear a slightly more open vowel in /aʊ/ and a clipped /t/ with flapped or tapped tendencies in rapid speech. The primary difference is subtle vowel quality in /aʊ/ and timing of the /t/ release; overall, you should preserve two-syllable structure and the distinct /t/ + /brek/ sequence across accents.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable boundary and the crisp /t/ release. Learners often fuse /t/ with the following /b/ or reduce the /t/ to a soft glottal stop, which blurs the word’s two-syllable rhythm. Additionally, the /aʊ/ diphthong demands precise mouth opening: start with a rounded /a/ and glide to /ʊ/ while keeping the /t/ separate. Maintaining the contrast between /t/ and /b/ is key.
Is the /t/ in outbreak ever pronounced as a denti-alveolar click? No. The standard pronunciation is /ˈaʊtˌbrek/, with a regular alveolar /t/ release followed by /brek/. In rapid speech, some speakers might shorten or voice the /t/ slightly, but you should avoid turning it into an altered consonant; aiming for a clean /t/ release preserves intelligibility.
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- US: /ˈaʊtˌbrek/ with full /aʊ/ diphthong and a prominent /t/ release; rhoticity does not alter this word; keep /brek/ clear and not reduced. - UK: similar to US; may be slightly crisper with t-voicing; avoid glottal stop in careful speech. - AU: potential vowel lengthening or slightly different onset; maintain /aʊ/ as a tight diphthong; don't flatten the /t/.
Outbreak comes from the combination of out- (from Old English ut, meaning ‘out, away’) and break (from Old English bræcan, meaning ‘to break, fracture, rupture’). The phrase first appeared in English around the 17th century, originally describing a literal breaking out into a region or a revolt breaking out among people. Over time, the noun shifted to describe rapid, violent emergence of a disease, contagion, or other phenomena. By the 19th and 20th centuries, “outbreak” was standard in medical contexts, particularly in epidemiology, to denote a sudden increase in cases localized to a community or time frame. The word retains a vivid imaging of something breaking outward from containment, which helps convey urgency and abruptness in public health discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "outbreak" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "outbreak" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "outbreak"
-out sounds
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