3 syllables: Pre, cau, tion. Stress on cau.
pree-KAW-shuhn
/pɹiˈkɔʃən/
Precaution is pronounced pree-KAW-shuhn (/pɹiˈkɔʃən/). It has three syllables (Pre-cau-tion), with the stress on "cau". Precaution is a measure taken in advance to prevent harm or adverse outcomes. It refers to safeguards, actions, or equipment used to reduce risk, especially in uncertain situations. The term emphasizes foresight and careful planning to avoid negative consequences.
nounPrecaution is a measure taken in advance to prevent harm or adverse outcomes. It refers to safeguards, actions, or equipment used to reduce risk, especially in uncertain situations. The term emphasizes foresight and careful planning to avoid negative consequences.
- You might pronounce the second syllable with a short, clipped vowel like /ˈprɪkɔː.ʃən/ instead of /prɪˈkɔː.ʃən/. Aim for a strong secondary stress and clear /kɔː/. - Some speakers merge syllables, producing /prɪˈkɒ.ʃən/ or /ˈprɛkɔː.ʃən/. Focus on keeping three distinct syllables: pre - cau - tion, with the middle vowel long and the /tʃ/ onset in the last syllable. - Mispronouncing /ˈkɔː/ as /kɒ/ can shorten the word and alter meaning. Practice lip rounding and jaw relaxation to sustain the long /ɔː/ vowel.
How to Pronounce Precaution
"Wear a helmet as a precaution when cycling to protect your head in case of a fall."
"As a precaution, she backed up all important files before updating the software."
"The company issued a precautionary warning about the potential side effects."
Pronounce as pre-CÂU-tion with stress on the second syllable: /prɪˈkɔː.ʃən/. Begin with /pr/ then a stressed /ɪˈkɔː/ nucleus, ending with /ʃən/. Keep the middle vowel long, and avoid reducing it to a schwa in careful speech. You can listen to native recordings on Pronounce or Forvo for an audio reference.
Common errors include shortening the second syllable to /ˈprɛkɔː.ʃən/ by misplacing stress, and producing a clipped /t/ instead of the alveolar /t/ followed by /iən/. Another frequent error is an unnecessary vowel reduction in the second syllable, making it /prɪˈkɒʃən/. To correct: emphasize the second syllable with /ˈkɔː/ and keep /tʃən/ intact as /tʃən/ after the /ɔː/ vowel.
In US, UK, and AU, /prɪˈkɔː.ʃən/ remains consistent with primary stress on the second syllable. The main differences lie in vowel quality: US often has a slightly rounded /ɔː/ and a clearer /ɹ/ coloring; UK and AU may feature a tighter jaw and a shorter /ɔː/ closer to /ɒ/ in some speakers. Rhoticity is generally present in US and AU; UK can be non-rhotic in some varieties, but in standard British pronunciation, /r/ is not pronounced before consonants.
The challenge lies in the two- syllable nucleus: /ɪ/ before /ˈkɔː/ and the post-alveolar /tʃ/ sequence in the final syllable, which can be softened or misarticulated as /tʃən/ or /ʃən/. The long /ɔː/ vowel requires proper lip rounding and jaw position to avoid a shorter, lax sound. Also, maintaining clear separation between syllables without excessive vowel reduction helps preserve the natural rhythm of the word.
There are no silent letters in Precaution. All letters contribute to syllables: pre-cau-tion. The tricky part is producing the /ˈkɔː/ vowel in the second syllable and the /tʃ/ onset in the final syllable. Clear enunciation of the /pr/ cluster at the start and the two-tone stress pattern helps avoid mispronunciations.
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- US: Rhotic /r/ primarily; ensure tight vocal tract and clear /ɹ/ coloring before the vowel. Shape lips for rounded /ɔː/ and keep tongue low-mid for /ɔː/. - UK: Often non-rhotic; /r/ not pronounced before consonants; maintain length of /ɔː/ and avoid post-vocalic /r/ in standard RP. Jaw should stay relaxed; avoid over-articulating the final /n/. - AU: Generally rhotic like US, but vowel tendencies vary; many speakers have clearer vowel length but with a slightly flatter /ɔː/ depending on the region. Keep /tʃ/ precise without turning it into /tʃə/. IPA cues: /prɪˈkɔː.ʃən/.
Precaution comes from the Middle French precaution, from Old French precausion, from Latin prae cautio, prae meaning before and cautio meaning a guarding or taking care. The root cautio is related to cautus, meaning guarded or cautious, and is akin to the English verb caution. The word traveled into English via legal and moral language in the late medieval period, reinforcing the notion of foresight and preventive measures. Over time, precaution broadened from a formal sense of legal caution to everyday safety practices. By the 17th century, it appeared in scientific and medical contexts to describe preventive steps and safeguards, and later broadened to general use in risk management, policy, and personal safety. The evolution reflects a shift from guarded behavior to systematic foresight in an increasingly complex world, where proactive steps are valued across industries and daily life.
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Words that rhyme with "Precaution"
-ion sounds
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