/ˈɹæˌbaɪz/
Say it backrabbis is the plural of rabbi, referring to Jewish religious leaders. In everyday usage it designates more than one rabbi and is pronounced with two syllables: RA-bis, with the first syllable stressed. The term blends sacred leadership with colloquial pluralization, and it appears across sermons, scholarly discussions, and community activities.
"The rabbis debated the issue for hours before issuing a communal ruling."
"Several rabbis of different denominations attended the interfaith dialogue."
"In the class, the rabbis explained the Torah portion with practical applications."
Say RA-bis with two syllables, stress on the first: /ˈræb.ɪz/ in US and UK. The first vowel is a short open-front sound like in cat, the final -is sounds as z, with only a light, quick release. Mouth positions: wide initial opening for /ræ/, then a quick, crisp /b/ closure and a voiced /ɪ/ followed by /z/. You’ll hear a two-syllable flow in natural speech.
Many learners say /ˈreɪ.biːz/ or /ˈræb.iːz/, mixing in a long /eɪ/ or turning the final into a plural -s /z/. The correct form is /ˈræb.ɪz/, with a short /ɪ/ and a final /z/. Common corrections: replace the long vowel with a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and ensure the final is /z/ (not /s/ unvoiced). Keep the first syllable stressed and avoid adding extra syllables after -bis.
In US and UK English, /ˈræb.ɪz/ with a short /æ/ in the first syllable; rhoticity doesn’t change the word as there’s no r-colored vowel after the initial consonant. Australian English often keeps /ˈræb.ɪz/ as well, but you might hear a slightly more centralized or clipped final /ɪ/ before /z/. Overall the vowel quality remains close to /æ/ and the final is /z/ in all three, with minor timing differences.
The difficulty lies in producing a clean two-syllable rhythm with a short /æ/ in the first syllable and a quick, voiced /z/ at the end, without adding an extra vowel or elongating the second syllable. Some speakers insert a schwa or over-articulate /rb/ clusters; others mispronounce as /ˈreɪ.biːz/. Focus on the short /ɪ/ in the second syllable and the crisp /z/ finish to stabilize the sound.
The unique aspect is that the plural carries a simple, high-frequency pluralization with a single consonant final and a light, voiced consonant ending. It contrasts with many English plurals that add /s/ or /z/ after a longer vowel or diphthong. The emphasis on the first syllable and the short central vowel in the second syllable make it relatively straightforward once you avoid vowel elongation and consonant voicing errors.
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The word rabbi originates from the Hebrew word rab, meaning teacher or master, with the suffix -bi forming the title for a respected teacher. In biblical and Mishnaic Hebrew, rabbis denoted “my master” and later broadened to plural form rabbim/rabbanim in different communities. The English adoption appears in Yiddish rabbi and Hebrew-derived rabbi; the plural rabbis in English is formed by adding -s, following standard pluralization rules. The term’s first widespread English usage traces back to translations of Jewish texts in the 17th–18th centuries, where rabbi was treated as a title and proper noun, and its plural signaled multiple learned leaders. Over time, rabbi and rabbis became common in English-speaking communities as both liturgical titles and secular references to Jewish clergy. The word’s sense has narrowed in some contexts to refer specifically to clergy within Orthodox and Conservative circles, while Reform contexts may emphasize role rather than denomination, yet the plural rabbis remains a universal descriptor of multiple rabbis across Jewish life.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "rabbis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "rabbis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "rabbis"
-bis sounds
-bys sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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