2 syllables: O, vum. Stress on O.
OH-vuhm
/ˈoʊvəm/
Ovum is pronounced OH-vuhm (/ˈoʊvəm/). It has two syllables (O-vum), with the stress on "O". Ovum is a singular biological cell formed when a female reproductive egg matures, or, in biology, a cell in the female gamete lineage that develops into an embryo after fertilization. It is typically round, contains yolk, and carries the potential to become an organism. The term is used in anatomy, embryology, and reproductive biology.
nounOvum is a singular biological cell formed when a female reproductive egg matures, or, in biology, a cell in the female gamete lineage that develops into an embryo after fertilization. It is typically round, contains yolk, and carries the potential to become an organism. The term is used in anatomy, embryology, and reproductive biology.
"The ovum is released during ovulation and can be fertilized by a sperm cell."
"Researchers isolated the ovum to study early embryonic development."
"In vitro fertilization involves the maturation and preparation of an ovum for fertilization."
Pronounce as /ˈɒv.əm/ (US: ˈɑː.vəm or ˈɒv.əm, depending on speaker). The first syllable carries primary stress: OV-um. The vowel in the first syllable is a short back or low open sound like “hot” without length. The second syllable is reduced: a schwa-like /ə/ or a light
Common errors include: 1) stressing the second syllable as in a two-syllable word; 2) mispronouncing the first vowel as a long /oː/ or /ɔː/ in non-rhotic dialects; 3) inserting an audible consonant between vowel sounds. Correction tips: keep steady short /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ in the first vowel, use a light /ə/ in the second syllable, and drop any extra consonants between syllables; practice with minimal pair drills like /ˈɒv.əm/ vs /ˈɒv.juːm/ to fix coda intrusion.
US: often /ˈɑː.vəm/ or /ˈɒv.əm/ with rhoticism not evidenced in the two-syllable pattern. UK: /ˈɒv.ɛm/ or /ˈɒv.ʌm/ with shorter, crisper first vowel; AU: /ˈɒ.vəm/ with tendency toward a lighter second syllable and less rhotic influence; all share primary stress on first syllable. Aroma vowel subtlety and final schwa quality shift with accent; keep the second syllable reduced to /əm/ or /əm/ depending on speaker.
Because it requires precise placement of a short, lax first vowel and a minimally stressed second syllable, with a concise, reduced final vowel. The contrast between /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ and /ə/ can be tricky for non-native speakers, and some dialects merge /ɒ/ with /ɑː/ or reduce the second syllable too much. Focusing on keeping the first vowel crisp, the second syllable light, and avoiding added vowels will improve accuracy. IPA markers help you target exact sounds.
The word uniquely combines a stressed open-front or back vowel in a short first syllable with a nearly silent second syllable; the /v/ sits between the two vowels, so you’ll feel a quick transition from a lax first vowel to a relaxed, almost whispered /ə/ or /əm/. The word’s silent-leaning second syllable and short tense onset make it distinct in medical vocabulary; keep the transition smooth and avoid glottal stop intrusion.
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Ovum comes from Latin ovum, meaning “egg,” and is related to the Latin root ovi- meaning “egg.” The word entered English in the 17th century as part of scientific vocabulary, reflecting the era’s expanding understanding of reproduction and embryology. Its use mirrors the Latin neuter noun form with the -um ending common to many Latin-derived scientific terms. Historically, English adopted ovum to distinguish the single egg cell from the plural ova. The term aligns with other biological terms such as spermatozoon and embryo, forming part of the standardized nomenclature in anatomy and reproductive biology. The broader use of ova (plural) preserves the same root while reflecting Latin plurals. Over time, ovum has become a central term in medical literature, textbooks, and modern biology, representing one of the key cellular units in sexual reproduction. First known use in English citations appears in pharmacological and anatomical texts around the 1600s-1700s, paralleling the growth of microscopical science and embryology as disciplines.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ovum" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ovum" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Ovum"
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