3 syllables: Ra, ven, ous. Stress on Ra.
RAV-uh-nuhs
/ˈɹævənəs/
Ravenous is pronounced RAV-uh-nuhs (/ˈɹævənəs/). It has three syllables (Ra-ven-ous), with the stress on "Ra". Ravenous is an adjective describing extreme hunger or a strong, singular appetite for something. It connotes intense greed or eagerness, often in a voracious or insatiable sense, and can describe people, creatures, or desires in vivid, dramatic terms.
adjectiveRavenous is an adjective describing extreme hunger or a strong, singular appetite for something. It connotes intense greed or eagerness, often in a voracious or insatiable sense, and can describe people, creatures, or desires in vivid, dramatic terms.
"The hikers were ravenous after the long trek and devoured their meals in minutes."
"News reports described the crowd as ravenous for information about the breaking story."
"The critic was ravenous for praise, seldom satisfied with the smallest compliment."
Ravenous is pronounced /ˈrævənəs/ in US and UK. The primary stress is on the first syllable RA-, followed by a reduced second syllable schwa /ə/ and a final /nəs/. Tip: start with a crisp /ræ/ as in 'rat', then quickly transition to /vən/ with a light, unstressed schwa, and end with /əs/. In connected speech, the final /əs/ can become a syllabic /z/ or a reduced /əs/ depending on context. Listen for a short, energetic first syllable and a softer, quick finish.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress on the second syllable (e.g., /ˈrævənəs/ vs /ˌræˈvənəs/), pronouncing the second syllable as a full vowel (e.g., /ˈreɪvənəs/), and over-articulating the final /s/ sound. To correct: keep stress on the first syllable, use a quick, relaxed /ə/ in the second syllable, and finish with a light /s/ or /əs/ depending on context. Practice with a slow, deliberate onset then speed up while maintaining even rhythm.
US/UK/AU all share /ˈrævənəs/, but rhoticity subtly influences the /ə/ quality and voicing. US tends to a clearly reduced /ə/ and crisper /r/ influence in connected speech. UK often features a slightly tighter vowel quality and less rhotic influence in non-rhotic positions; AU follows similar to UK but with a broader vowel quality. Overall, the first syllable remains stressed, with a quick, unstressed second syllable. Listening to native samples helps notice micro-variations in /ə/ and /ɪ/ realizations.
The challenge lies in the unstressed second syllable /ə/ following a strong initial /ræ/ and the final /əs/ running quickly in connected speech. Many learners over-articulate the second syllable or drop the /n/ before /əs/. Focus on a light, reduced /ə/ and a clean, short /n/ before a soft /əs/. Practice by saying /ræ-və-nəs/ slowly, then gradually increase speed while preserving the rhythm and stress pattern.
The key is the strong initial /ræ/ with a subsequent rapid /vən/ cluster and a final unstressed /əs/. The sequence /vən/ can invite a short schwa if said quickly, so ensure the /n/ is heard clearly before the final /əs/. Unlike some adjectives, ravenous keeps a consistent stress on the first syllable; do not shift stress to the second. Visualize it as RA-və-nəs and train the transitions between lips and tongue as you move between /v/, /ə/, and /n/.
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Ravenous comes from the Middle English ravenouse, a blend of raven (the bird) or raven-like appetite with the suffix -ous, indicating full of or having the quality of. The root word raven traces back to Old English hræfn, related to the raven as a symbol of gluttony and greed in literature. By the 14th century, ravenous appeared in literary usage to describe insatiable appetite, often of people or monsters. Over time, the word broadened beyond literal hunger to convey metaphorical hunger for power, knowledge, or conquest. In modern usage, ravenous typically emphasizes extreme and unrestrained desire rather than mere hunger, frequently in vivid, dramatic descriptions in journalism, fiction, and speech. First known uses appear in medieval poetry and prose where appetite and appetite-like metaphor were common, with increasing semantic saturation through the Renaissance and into contemporary usage. The word’s evolution mirrors cultural associations of appetite with excess and unrestrained pursuit, making ravenous a strong, evocative descriptor across genres and registers.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Ravenous" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Ravenous" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Ravenous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
-US: /ˈrævənəs/ with rhotic r in pre-consonantal context; the /ə/ is often reduced more; faster final /s/. US speakers keep the initial /æ/ clear. -UK: /ˈrævənəs/ with less rhotic influence; subtle vowel quality differences in /æ/ and /ə/. Often slightly shorter second syllable; final /s/ softer in connected speech. -AU: /ˈrævənəs/ with broader vowel coloring; the first syllable can be slightly more tense; final /s/ crisp but not as sibilant as US. -Common across all: stress on first syllable; quick, reduced second syllable; final /əs/ or /əs/ depending on context.
