3 syllables: Re, sour, ces. Stress on Re.
REE-sawr-siz
/ˈɹisɔɹsɪz/
Resources is pronounced REE-sawr-siz (/ˈɹisɔɹsɪz/). It has three syllables (Re-sour-ces), with the stress on "Re". Resources (noun, plural) refers to assets or material available for a particular purpose, including financial means, information, or materials that support an activity. It can also denote sources of help, such as personnel or facilities. In everyday use, it often implies collectively available means that can be drawn upon to achieve a goal, planning, or problem-solving.
nounResources (noun, plural) refers to assets or material available for a particular purpose, including financial means, information, or materials that support an activity. It can also denote sources of help, such as personnel or facilities. In everyday use, it often implies collectively available means that can be drawn upon to achieve a goal, planning, or problem-solving.
"We need to allocate our resources wisely to finish the project on time."
"The university offers career resources to help students prepare for the job market."
"Drought forced the city to conserve water resources and seek alternative supplies."
Pronounce as /ɹɪˈzɔːr.sɪz/ in US English, with primary stress on the second syllable. Break it into re- (unstressed) + SOURCES (rhymes with 'courses' but with /z/ ending). For UK English, /rɪˈzɔː.sɪz/ and AU follows similar rhotics, with slightly shorter vowel duration in some accents. Tip: start with ‘rih-’ then PUSH the ‘-zors’ syllable with a long /ɔː/ followed by /sɪz/. Listen to native clips on Forvo or YouGlish for reference.
Two frequent errors: (1) placing primary stress on the first syllable as in ‘RE-source- es’; correct is re-SOURCE-s- with stress on the second syllable. (2) Slurring the final -es to /ɪz/ or /əz/ too quickly, making it sound like ‘_RESOURCE-s’ or ‘resource-iz’; ensure the final /zɪz/ or /zɪz/ sequence is clear, with the /ɪ/ before the final z. Practice by stressing the middle syllable and pronouncing final /zɪz/ distinctly.
In US English, you hear /ɹɪˈzɔːr.sɪz/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and a clear /ɔː/. UK English often has a shorter /ɔː/ and non-rhoticity in some speakers can alter vowel quality; still commonly /r/ pronounces in most modern accents. Australian English typically has /ɹɪˈzɔː.sɪz/ with a broad but non-rolled /r/ and a slightly shorter vowel duration. Across accents, the main distinctions are vowel length/quality and whether the 'r' is pronounced in non-initial positions.
The challenge lies in the stressed second syllable with a long /ɔː/ vowel followed by a cluster /r.s/ plus the final /ɪz/. Non-native speakers often misplace stress, say /ˈriː.zɔːr.sɪz/, or reduce the /ɔː/ to /ɒ/. Also, the ending /ɪz/ can blur in rapid speech. Focusing on the two-stressed syllables and practicing the /r/ and /z/ sequence helps stabilize correct pronunciation.
Because ‘resource’ ends with the voiced /s/ cluster in plural, the plural suffix is realized as /ɪz/ after a sibilant-sounding stem, producing /-ɪz/ after the /z/ in the stem. This can be challenging when the stem ends with a voiced /z/ in fast speech. Focus on articulating the final /zɪz/ clearly and timing the transition from the /z/ in the stem to the /ɪz/ ending. This clarifies pluralization and keeps the sound natural.
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Resources comes from the Middle English word resours, itself derived from Old French ressource, from the Latin resource (re- + surgere ‘to rise, to obtain’). The root resurgere meant ‘to rise again,’ later taking on the sense of means or sources that enable one to rise or succeed. In historic usage, ‘resource’ referred to a source of supply or support; it evolved to denote both assets (financial, material) and information or assistance in diverse fields. The plural form resources emerged to indicate multiple sources or a collective pool of support. The concept of resources expanded in economic, managerial, and educational contexts, where organizations quantify assets, personnel, time, and information to optimize performance. First known uses appear in Latin-influenced English texts of the 14th-15th centuries, with Middle English adaptations appearing as resourc e in older records before stabilizing into modern spellings by the 17th century.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Resources" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Resources" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Resources"
-ses sounds
-ces sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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