2 syllables: Ra, bies. Stress on Ra.
RAY-beez
/ˈɹeɪbiz/
Rabies is pronounced RAY-beez (/ˈɹeɪbiz/). It has two syllables (Ra-bies), with the stress on "Ra". Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system, typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but rare instances of recovery are documented when treated early. The term also refers to the fear or irrational suspicion that a person or thing is dangerous, though this usage is metaphorical and far less common.
nounRabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system, typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but rare instances of recovery are documented when treated early. The term also refers to the fear or irrational suspicion that a person or thing is dangerous, though this usage is metaphorical and far less common.
- You’ll often hear learners pronounce /ˈreɪ.biːz/ with a reduced second syllable, like /ˈreɪ.bi/ or with a short /ɪ/ in the second vowel. To fix: hold the /iː/ as a full long vowel and finish with a clear /z/. - The final consonant can be devoiced or replaced with /s/ in careful, slowed speech; whereas in fluent speech, you should end with the voiced /z/. Practice by saying ‘ray-beez’ at a steady tempo and then whispering to ensure voicing difference is maintained. - Stress errors: some say /ˈriː.biːz/ or splitiar between syllables; remember the primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈreɪ.biːz/. Use a beat-count: one strong beat, two quicker. - Lip and tongue alignment: avoid rounding lips excessively on /eɪ/; keep jaw relaxed, lips neutral, then engage tip of the tongue on /z/.
How to Pronounce Rabies
"- The village faced a rabies outbreak after a fox was found with the virus."
"- Health officials advised pets be vaccinated to prevent rabies transmission."
"- Some people describe his aggressive behavior as rabies-like anger, though that’s a metaphor."
Pronounce it as RA-bies, with a long A starting the word. IPA: US/UK/AU /ˈreɪ.biːz/. Emphasize the first syllable, then a crisp, unstressed second syllable. The second vowel is a long E, so keep the 'ee' sound. Lip position: start with a wide mouth for /eɪ/ and glide into a relaxed, closed /iː/ for the second syllable. You’ll want a clear 'z' at the end; avoid voicing the final consonant as /s/ in some dialects.
Common mistakes: misplacing stress and shortening the second syllable. Some say ‘RA-biss’ with a short /ɪ/ or end with /s/ instead of /z/. Correction: keep /ˈreɪ.biːz/ with a long A in the first syllable and a voiced alveolar sibilant /z/ at the end; the second syllable uses a long /iː/ rather than a short /ɪ/ or schwa. Practice by alternating /ˈreɪ‑biːz/ against /ˈriː.biːz/ to lock the correct rhyme and ensure the /b/ is clearly plosive.
US/UK/AU share the /ˈreɪ.biːz/ primary stress, but rhoticity and vowel quality differ. US speakers keep /r/ and rhyme closer to ‘ray-beez,’ with a pronounced /r/ and [ɹ]-like onset. UK speakers may have a slightly tighter /r/ or non-rhotic feel in some regions, but standard RP still renders /ˈreɪ.biːz/. Australian speech aligns with non-rhotic tendencies in broader accents but maintains /ˈreɪ.biːz/ with a clear /eɪ/ and a final voiced /z/. Across ages and regions, some variations may soften the final /z/ toward /s/ if voicing is reduced.
Phonetic challenges include the long /eɪ/ diphthong in /ˈreɪ/ which can dip into /ə/ for some speakers, and the final voiced /z/ which can be devoiced in careful speech or at word boundaries. Also the second syllable /biːz/ requires a precise /b/ plosive and a long /iː/; mixing it with a quick /z/ can invite voicing confusion. Beginners often misplace stress or substitute /eɪ/ with /iː/ or mix /z/ with /s/. Focus on maintaining a clear /ˈreɪ.biːz/ with steady tempo.
Does the word ever appear as a plural or in compound terms that affect pronunciation? Yes, when used in compounds like ‘rabies vaccination programs,’ the pronunciation remains the same for the root word, but natural speech can accelerate the final /z/ into a quicker, less distinct sound in rapid speech. Maintain the same /ˈreɪ.biːz/ root pronunciation, and only adjust rhythm to fit the sentence pace.
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- US: rhotic accent maintains /r/ and a broad /eɪ/; ensure lip rounding is moderate and syllable two keeps a clear /iː/. - UK: potential non-rhotic influence in some speakers; still keep /r/ absent or subdued, but typical RP would render /ˈreɪ.biːz/ with a crisp /z/; - AU: tends to be non-rhotic in broad accents; keep the /ˈreɪ.biːz/ rhythm with a slightly longer /ɪ/ frequency; practice with cross-checks to ensure the final /z/ remains audible. Use IPA for accuracy and record yourself to compare.
Rabies derives from the Latin rabies, meaning ‘madness, fury, passion,’ rooted in the Proto-Italic *rabia. Early medical usage in Latin texts described disease symptoms and behavior. The modern sense connects to the rabies virus identified in the 19th century, with the term increasingly used in English to denote both the infectious disease and the figurative 'crazy' or 'mad' reputation when describing a person or crowd. The word’s path reflects historical fear of animal-borne disease and later the epidemiological focus on transmission through saliva. The first known English usage tied to the disease appears in the 18th century, aligning with the growing scientific understanding of zoonotic infections. Over time, “rabies” became the standard medical term, while popular language used variants like “hydrophobia” in earlier centuries, reflecting symptoms and public perception before vaccination reduced incidence.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Rabies" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Rabies"
-ies sounds
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