4 syllables: Ox, y, co, done. Stress on co.
ahk-sik-OH-dohn
/ɑk.sɪˈkoʊ.doʊn/
Oxycodone is pronounced ahk-sik-OH-dohn (/ɑk.sɪˈkoʊ.doʊn/). It has four syllables (Ox-y-co-done), with the stress on "co". Oxycodone is a potent semi-synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is commonly prescribed in tablet, capsule, or liquid form and can produce euphoria at higher doses. The word refers to the drug itself and is used in medical, pharmacological, and regulatory contexts.
nounOxycodone is a potent semi-synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is commonly prescribed in tablet, capsule, or liquid form and can produce euphoria at higher doses. The word refers to the drug itself and is used in medical, pharmacological, and regulatory contexts.
How to Pronounce Oxycodone
"The patient was prescribed oxycodone after the surgery to manage pain."
"Pharmacists must verify the dosage and duration when dispensing oxycodone."
"Some patients experience drowsiness or nausea as side effects of oxycodone."
US/UK/AU pronunciation is /ˈɒk.sɪˌkoʊ.doʊn/ (US/UK) and /ˈɒk.sɪˌkɒdəʊn/ (AU); the key is stressing the first syllable OX-, then a lighter -yco- with a long -doʊn ending. Break it as OX-i-co-done, with a clear long o in the final syllable. Listen for the subtle vowel in -co-, and keep the final n as a light nasal to avoid adding extra syllables. Audio reference: consult standard dictionaries or medical pronunciation resources for native speaker models.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (placing it on the second syllable), pronouncing -co- as a short æ or ə sound, and mispronouncing the final -one as -own or -ohn instead of a pure -oʊn. Correct by maintaining initial strong stress on OX-, using a clear /koʊ/ in the middle, and finishing with /doʊn/ rather than a nasalized or clipped ending. Practice by saying OX-i-CO-done slowly, then faster while keeping the final -n silent only when appropriate.
In US and UK, you’ll hear /ˈɒk.sɪˌkoʊ.doʊn/ with a rhotic-less UK variant closer to /ˈɒk.sɪˌkəʊ.dən/ in some pronunciations; US tends to a clear /doʊn/ and UK often reduces the vowel in the middle syllable slightly. Australian speakers typically use /ˈɒk.sɪˌkɒ.dəʊn/ with a shorter /ɒ/ in the middle syllable and a more clipped final /dəʊn/. The main differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in the middle and final syllables.
The difficulty stems from sequence of consonant-vowel transitions, especially the /ks/ cluster in OX, the stressed first syllable and the diphthong in -co- and final -one. Speakers may misplace the stress or blend /koʊ/ with a schwa or reduce the final /oʊn/. Concentrate on a clean /ɒk/ onset, a distinct /sɪ/ for the second syllable, and a steady /doʊn/ flow to avoid a clipped ending.
A distinctive aspect is maintaining the light secondary stress on the -co- or -done portion depending on the accent, while keeping the strong primary stress on OX-. For example, US pronunciation emphasizes OX- and -doʊn, with a smoother glide from /sɪ/ to /ˈkoʊ/ and then /doʊn/. The unique challenge is sequencing the /k/ with the following /s/ to avoid an abrupt /ks/ merge.
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Oxycodone derives from the chemical naming system for opioids. The prefix oxy- denotes oxygen-containing groups in the molecule, while the -codone suffix links to the core opioid scaffold and the narcotic analgesic family. The term first appears in medical literature in the mid-20th century as synthetic chemists developed the oxycodone molecule to improve bioavailability and potency compared with morphine. Its introduction followed broader efforts to create more controllable, longer-lasting analgesics with predictable pharmacokinetics. The naming convention aligns with other opioid names such as hydrocodone and oxycontin, signaling both structural similarity and pharmacological class. In regulatory and clinical contexts, oxycodone has become a well-known benchmark for discussing opioid stewardship, analgesic dosing, and dependence risk. Its usage mirrors evolving attitudes toward pain management, balancing effective relief with vigilance about misuse and safety. The word’s history is intertwined with pharmaceutical innovation, regulatory oversight, and public health discourse surrounding opioids over several decades. First documented uses occur in pharmacology journals and drug labels as manufacturers standardized naming for the active ingredient and corresponding formulations.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Oxycodone" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Oxycodone"
-one sounds
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