4 syllables: Ro, sa, ce, a. Stress on sa.
roh-ZAY-shuh
/roʊˈzeɪʃə/
Rosacea is pronounced roh-ZAY-shuh (/roʊˈzeɪʃə/). It has four syllables (Ro-sa-ce-a), with the stress on "sa". Rosacea is a chronic dermatological condition characterized by facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps, typically affecting the central face. It is not contagious and tends to flare with triggers such as heat, spicy foods, and stress. The term appears in medical literature from the early 20th century and is often discussed in relation to eye involvement and skincare management.
nounRosacea is a chronic dermatological condition characterized by facial redness, visible blood vessels, and sometimes acne-like bumps, typically affecting the central face. It is not contagious and tends to flare with triggers such as heat, spicy foods, and stress. The term appears in medical literature from the early 20th century and is often discussed in relation to eye involvement and skincare management.
- You miss the second syllable stress: say ro-ZAY-sha instead of ro-ZAY-shə; ensure the -ɪeɪ- sound remains crisp and not reduced. - Over-suppressing the final -ə; the ending should be a light but audible schwa, not a silent or clipped vowel. - Vowel blending that makes it rhyme with 'rosa' or 'rosa- man'—keep the /zeɪ/ in the second syllable distinct, then the /ʃə/ at the end.
"She has rosacea, which makes her cheeks look flushed most mornings."
"The dermatologist advised avoiding triggers to manage rosacea symptoms."
"Rosacea can mimic other skin conditions, so proper diagnosis is important."
Rosacea is pronounced ro-SAY-shuh, with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /roʊˈzeɪʃə/, UK /rəʊˈzeɪʃə/, AU /roˈzāshə/. Start with a long o sound, then the z- syllable, followed by a soft -a- as in 'shuh'. Keep the final schwa brief and unstressed. You can listen to examples on Forvo or YouGlish to hear native renderings and practice the rhythm: ro- SAY - shuh.
Two common errors: 1) pronouncing it as ro-ZAY-ah with stress on the wrong syllable and misplacing the second vowel as an 'ah' instead of 'ay'. 2) How gliding can blur the final -sha- sequence into -shi-a-. Correction: say ro- SAY - shi-uh, with the second syllable clearly stressed and the -sh- followed by a short, relaxed -ə sound.
US speakers typically use roʊ-ˈzeɪ-ʃə with a pronounced long o and clear -z-; UK pronunciation rō-ˈzeɪ-ʃə (often less rhotic influence, but still /rəʊ/ onset); Australian follows ro-ˈzeɪʃə with a flatter vowel in /ə/ in the final syllable, and less rhoticity in some speakers. The main differences are vowel quality in the first syllable and the treatment of the final -ə, with UK tending toward non-rhoticity and Australian variably rhotic. Practicing with region-specific audio helps tune the subtle vowel shifts.
The difficulty comes from the two features: a non-phonemic or lightly enunciated -s- in the second syllable and a trailing weak -a- (schwa) after -ʃ-. The stress sits on -zeɪ-, so speakers must keep the second syllable prominent while ensuring the final -ə is short. Language learners often misplace the stress or reduce the -zeɪ- portion. Focusing on the clear split between /zeɪ/ and /ʃə/ helps—ro- SAY - shuh.
The standard pattern is two-syllable main beat for the first two syllables ro- SAY - then a fourth segment -ʃə in rapid, lighter tone. The strongest beat falls on the second syllable; the final -ə is unstressed. Practice by tapping: 1-2-3-4 with emphasis on 2, then smooth the 3–4 into a quick, soft conclusion. IPA reminders: US /roʊˈzeɪʃə/, UK /rəʊˈzeɪʃə/, AU /roˈzeɪʃə/.
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- US: rhotic touch on the onset, vowel length for /oʊ/ is a bit longer and the final -ə is short. - UK: more non-rhotic; smoother /rəʊ/ onset; maintain vowel quality in /zeɪ/. - AU: often closer to /roˈzeɪʃə/ with less pronounced rhoticity; keep the /ɪ/ or /eɪ/ onset consistent and end with a light schwa. IPA: US /roʊˈzeɪʃə/; UK /rəʊˈzeɪʃə/; AU /roˈzeɪʃə/.
Rosacea derives from the late 19th to early 20th century medical usage. The root likely traces to Latin rosa, meaning rose, reflecting the facial flushing associated with the condition. The suffix -acea resembles medical naming patterns for diseases and conditions, aligning with other dermatological terms like acne and rosaceous (rose-like). The term began appearing in dermatology literature around 1900–1920, capturing a clinical syndrome of facial erythema and vascular visibility. Over time, it expanded to describe subtypes, including erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and phymatous rosacea, and to emphasize the distinction from acne and eczema. The evolution mirrors advances in differential diagnosis and treatment approaches, moving from purely observational descriptions to staged classifications and management strategies that address inflammation, vascular symptoms, and skin barrier health.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Rosacea" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Rosacea"
-sia sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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