4 syllables: Pi, rox, i, cam. Stress on rox.
peye-RAHK-sik-am
/paɪˈrɑksɪkæm/
Piroxicam is pronounced peye-RAHK-sik-am (/paɪˈrɑksɪkæm/). It has four syllables (Pi-rox-i-cam), with the stress on "rox". Piroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation. It is a chemical compound with a multi-syllabic name that is commonly encountered in pharmacology and medical contexts. In speech, its name challenges non-native speakers with multiple syllables and unfamiliar consonant clusters.
nounPiroxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation. It is a chemical compound with a multi-syllabic name that is commonly encountered in pharmacology and medical contexts. In speech, its name challenges non-native speakers with multiple syllables and unfamiliar consonant clusters.
How to Pronounce Piroxicam
"The clinician prescribed piroxicam to reduce joint inflammation."
"Researchers reviewed the pharmacokinetics of piroxicam in a recent study."
"Piroxicam's efficacy was compared with other NSAIDs in the trial."
Pronounce it as /ˌpaɪˈroʊ.zɪ.kæm/ in US/UK usage. Break it into four syllables: pi-rox-i-cam with primary stress on the second syllable, ‘ro’ carrying the peak. Start with a long “pie” sound, then ‘ro’ as in 'roe', followed by a short ‘zi’ and a final ‘cam’ with a broad ‘a’ as in 'cat'. If you’re speaking slowly for clarity, emphasize the “-ro-” and “-cam” segments slightly to avoid misplacing the stress.
Common mistakes include collapsing the four syllables into three by blending ‘ro’ and ‘zi’ (/ˈroʊzɪ/), misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable, or pronouncing the final ‘cam’ with a shorter, clipped vowel. Correct by clearly separating the syllables pi- ro- zi- cam, ensuring the vowel in the second syllable is stressed and prolonged slightly. Use a light, clear ‘z’ instead of a /s/ or /z/ blend that could blur the syllable boundaries.
In US/UK, the primary stress remains on the second syllable, with the vowels pronounced as long /aɪ/ in ‘pi’ and /oʊ/ in ‘ro.’ Australian pronunciation typically mirrors US/UK, but you may hear a slightly flatter vowel in ‘ro’ and a more reduced final vowel in others. Across accents, the consonant /z/ remains distinct, but the following /ɪ/ can be shorter in some dialects. IPA remains a reliable guide: /ˌpaɪˈroʊ.zɪ.kæm/ across varieties.
The combination of a long first syllable, stressed second syllable, and two consonant clusters ( ‘ro’ followed by ‘zx’-like /zɪk/ ) creates multiple articulatory targets in close succession. The ‘ox’/‘oz’ vowel transitions, and a final ‘cam’ with a low-front lax vowel require precise tongue height and lip rounding. Additionally, the medical term lacks everyday usage, so unfamiliarity compounds mispronunciation.
No silent letters in standard pronunciation, but the word has a non-primary syllable that carries the main beat: /ˌpaɪˈroʊ.zɪ.kæm/. The main stress is clearly on the second syllable, which can be surprising to speakers who expect equal emphasis or fall-back on the first syllable. The phrase-flow often places the sequence ‘pi-RO-zi-cam’ with the ‘ro’ vowel taking the nucleus of the stressed beat.
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- US: rhotic /r/ is strongly pronounced; /ɪ/ in the third syllable tends to be shorter in rapid speech. Emphasize the second syllable and keep /oʊ/ long. - UK: non-rhotic variants may reduce the final ‘r’ in connected speech; maintain clear /roʊ/ vowel and avoid truncating /ɪ/ too much. - AU: similar to US/UK but with marginally flatter vowels; keep /ˈroʊ/ stable and avoid over-aspiration on the final /æ/. IPA references help anchor correct sounds across dialects.
Piroxicam derives from chemical naming conventions used in pharmacology. The prefix ‘piro-’ suggests a ring or cyclic structure in some contexts, though in this case it is part of a larger chemical nomenclature rather than a standalone root with a transparent meaning. The suffix ‘-cox-’ appears in several heterocyclic compounds signaling specific ring systems, and the final ‘-icam’ is a common pharmacological suffix that often appears in amide-containing NSAIDs. The term entered medical and pharmaceutical literature in the mid-20th century as synthetic NSAIDs expanded beyond classic salicylates. First known uses appear in pharmaceutical journals as new NSAIDs were being characterized for receptor interactions, metabolism, and clinical utility. Over time, piroxicam established itself as a well-known NSAID, particularly in rheumatology, before being overshadowed in some contexts by newer agents. Its pronunciation became established in English-language medical discourse, with emphasis on syllables that reflect its bi-syllabic structure and distinct consonant clusters.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Piroxicam" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Piroxicam" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Piroxicam"
-cam sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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