4 syllables: Post, her, pet, ic. Stress on pet.
pohst-HURR-pet-ik
/poʊstˈhɜːrpɛtɪk/
Postherpetic is pronounced pohst-HURR-pet-ik (/poʊstˈhɜːrpɛtɪk/). It has four syllables (Post-her-pet-ic), with the stress on "pet". Postherpetic is an adjective describing conditions related to or arising after herpes zoster (shingles). It is commonly used in medical contexts to denote symptoms persisting after the acute phase, such as postherpetic neuralgia. The term combines the prefix “post-” (after) with “herpetic” (of or relating to herpes).
adjectivePostherpetic is an adjective describing conditions related to or arising after herpes zoster (shingles). It is commonly used in medical contexts to denote symptoms persisting after the acute phase, such as postherpetic neuralgia. The term combines the prefix “post-” (after) with “herpetic” (of or relating to herpes).
How to Pronounce Postherpetic
"The patient reported persistent pain attributed to postherpetic neuralgia following shingles."
"Postherpetic neuralgia can last for months or years in some individuals."
"Researchers are exploring treatments to reduce the risk of postherpetic complications after shingles."
Pronounce as /poʊst hɜːrˈpɛtɪk/ in US usage or /pəˈhɜːːpətɪk/ in some UK pronunciations; the main stress falls on the second part, ‘-phetic’-like segment with a secondary emphasis on the 'her' portion. Start with /poʊst/ as in “post,” then /hɜːr/ (like ‘her’ with a rhotic r), and finally /ˈpɛtɪk/ where /pɛ/ is like “pet,” and /tɪk/ rhymes with “tick.” An audio example you can reference: [audio link].
Common errors include misplacing the primary stress (trying to stress ‘post’ or ‘her’ instead of ‘pet’), mispronouncing the /ɜːr/ as a short /ɜr/ in some dialects, and flattening /ˈpɛtɪk/ to /ˈpeɪtɪk/. Correct by: 1) keeping the strong stress on the third syllable, /ˈpɛtɪk/; 2) articulating /hɜːr/ with a clear rhotic /ɜːr/ vowel; 3) ensuring the final /tɪk/ is a sharp, unreleased /t/ + /ɪk/.
In US English, /poʊst hɜːrˈpɛtɪk/ with rhotic /r/ in /hɜːr/. UK English often uses a non-rhotic /hɜː/ with a shorter /ɜː/ and a potentially reduced second syllable, yielding /pəʊst hɜːˈpɛtɪk/. Australian English tends to be rhotic but with broader vowels, sometimes /ˈpoːst həːˈpetɪk/ depending on speaker. Across all, the main stress remains on the third syllable, but vowel qualities shift subtly in each variety.
Difficulties come from the tricky cluster /st hɜːr/ following the initial /poʊst/ and the mid-high front vowel /ɛ/ in /ˈpɛtɪk/. The sequence requires quick tongue retraction after /st/ and a sharp /tɪk/ ending. The rhotic /ɜːr/ in many dialects complicates the transition from /h/ to /ɜːr/. Practice focusing on the transition from ‘st’ to ‘h’ and then to ‘er’ to stabilize the vowel chords, with IPA cues and slow motion drills.
A common surface feature is the linked pronunciation between /st/ and /h/ such that you don’t insert a vowel between /st/ and /h/. You’ll typically glide directly from /st/ into /h/; the 'her' portion is not silent but uses a distinct /ɜːr/ vowel. Focus on the sequence: /poʊst hɜːrˈpɛtɪk/ and keep the /r/ as a rhotic, ensuring the /h/ is released gently before /ɜːr/.
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Postherpetic derives from the prefix post- meaning ‘after’ + herpetic, from Latin herpeticus, itself from Greek herpetikos meaning ‘creeping, reptile-like’ (used historically for herpes). The medical term first appears in the late 19th to early 20th century as medicine formalized herpes zoster (shingles) terminology. The root herpes comes from Greek herpein ‘to creep,’ reflecting the creeping rashes associated with the disease. Over time, post- has been adopted to label sequelae or complications that persist beyond the acute infection, yielding “postherpetic neuralgia” as a canonical example, with “postherpetic” serving as a general modifier for lingering post-infectious phenomena. In modern clinical usage, the word often collocates with neuralgia, pain, and complications, indicating a chronic or long-lasting post-infection state.
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Words that rhyme with "Postherpetic"
-tic sounds
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