One syllable: Pounce.
powns
/paʊns/
Pounce is pronounced powns (/paʊns/). It has one syllable (Pounce), with the stress on "Pounce". Pounce is a verb meaning to spring or swoop suddenly in order to seize something. It conveys a quick, forceful action often used for predators or for seizing an opportunity. The word emphasizes the abrupt, energetic movement rather than a prolonged hunt or effort.
verbPounce is a verb meaning to spring or swoop suddenly in order to seize something. It conveys a quick, forceful action often used for predators or for seizing an opportunity. The word emphasizes the abrupt, energetic movement rather than a prolonged hunt or effort.
- You might over-elongate the vowel in /aʊ/ (sounding like /paʊu ns/). Keep the diphthong tight and fast into /ns/. - Another error is inserting an extra vowel between /aʊ/ and /n/, producing /paʊən s/; maintain a seamless /aʊn/ flow into /s/. - Some speakers mispronounce the final cluster as /n/ only or /ns/ as /n z/; keep the voiceless /s/ immediately after /n/. You’ll hear a crisp /ns/ in careful speech. - In rapid speech, the plosive /p/ can be under-aspirated; ensure a short burst before the diphthong.
How to Pronounce Pounce
"The cat will pounce on the mouse the moment it appears."
"During the sale, shoppers can pounce on the limited-time offers."
"The quarterback watched the defense and then pounced to sack the quarterback."
Pronounce as /paʊns/. It’s a single-stressed syllable with the diphthong /aʊ/ like 'how' and a final /ns/ cluster. Start with a short /p/ burst, glide into /aʊ/, then close with /n/ and /s/. Tip: keep the /aʊ/ tight and avoid inserting a vowel between /p/ and /aʊ/. Refer to audio examples from reputable dictionaries for verification.
Two common errors: pronouncing it as /poʊns/ where the vowel becomes /oʊ/ or misplacing the /n/ and /s/ as a separate syllable. Another mistake is delaying the /n/ after /aʊ/, producing /paʊn s/ with a noticeable pause. Correction: keep the diphthong tight in /paʊ/, swiftly transition into /n/ and /s/ without an extra vowel.
Across US/UK/AU, /paʊns/ remains the core, but vowel quality can shift subtly. In many US varieties, /aʊ/ can be realized with a slightly more centralized starting point; UK speakers may have a marginally tighter /aʊ/ and crisper /ns/ release; Australian tends toward a broader, lively /aʊ/ with clear final /n/ and /s/. Overall, stress remains on the single syllable, with minimal rhotic variation.
The difficulty lies in producing the sharp diphthong /aʊ/ quickly before a tight consonant cluster /ns/. Many speakers also misplace the tongue or insert an extra vowel between the /aʊ/ and the /n/. Practicing the quick transition from the gliding /aɪ/ area to the alveolar nasal /n/ and the voiceless /s/ helps with clarity. IPA guidance and slow articulation support accurate pronunciation at speed.
There are no silent letters in 'pounce.' It’s pronounced with a single syllable /paʊns/. The letters p, o, u, n, c, e collectively spell the sound with a clean onset and coda. The e at the end is not silent in this word; it participates in the vowel quality of /aʊ/ through the spelled components 'ou' and the surrounding letters.
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- US: Focus on maintaining a vivid /aʊ/ with a brisk transition to /ns/, keeping the /r/ sound absent (not rhotic). - UK: A crisper /n/ and slightly sharper /s/ with less vowel length; tolerate a slightly tighter /aʊ/ onset. - AU: Often a more relaxed but still clear /aʊ/; avoid flattening the diphthong toward /a/; keep the cadence steady. IPA references: US /paʊns/, UK /paʊns/, AU /paʊns/.
Pounce comes from Middle English pounce, ponsen, likely from the sense of “to spring or leap suddenly.” The root is connected to the notion of sudden, sharp movement associated with hunting or seizing. The precise origin is obscure, but it is tied to Old French houses and hunting terms in some early texts, gradually acquiring the sense of a swift, predatory action. Over time, pounce broadened beyond animal hunting, taking on metaphorical uses like “pounce on an opportunity,” emphasizing speed and decisiveness. The modern sense is well established by the 19th century, with usage in both literal predation and figurative seize-the-moment contexts. First known uses appear in Middle English animals or hunting descriptions, with metaphorical extension documented by the 1800s. The word remains vivid and energetic, retaining the bite of a sudden, purposeful motion in contemporary English.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Pounce" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Pounce" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Pounce" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Pounce"
-nce sounds
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