2 syllables: Scle, ra. Stress on Scle.
SKLEE-ruh
/ˈskliːɹə/
Sclera is pronounced SKLEE-ruh (/ˈskliːɹə/). It has two syllables (Scle-ra), with the stress on "Scle". Sclera is the tough, opaque, outer protective layer of the eye, surrounding the iris and pupil. It provides structure and shape to the eye and serves as an attachment point for the ocular muscles. The term is used in medical contexts and anatomy, distinct from the more transparent cornea.
nounSclera is the tough, opaque, outer protective layer of the eye, surrounding the iris and pupil. It provides structure and shape to the eye and serves as an attachment point for the ocular muscles. The term is used in medical contexts and anatomy, distinct from the more transparent cornea.
How to Pronounce Sclera
"The sclera appears white under normal lighting and helps protect the eye."
"A doctor examined the sclera for signs of jaundice or inflammation."
"In anatomy class, we studied how the sclera anchors the extraocular muscles."
Pronounce it as /ˈsklɪərə/ (S-CLI-er-uh). The first syllable carries the primary stress: SKLI. The second syllable reduces to a schwa-like sound before the final /r/ in American English, with a light 'er' ending. Keep the lips neutral and fairly relaxed, and avoid turning the vowel into a prolonged /i/ sound. Listen for the short, clipped initial cluster /skl/ followed by a weak second vowel and an audible final /ə/ or /əɹ/ in US speech.
Common errors include over-pronouncing the second syllable as a full /iː/ or /iə/, turning /ə/ into a clear vowel, and misplacing the /r/ in non-rhotic accents. To correct: keep the second vowel light (schwa-like) and end with a soft, non-doubled /ɹ/ in rhotic accents. Practice the initial /skl/ cluster by saying 'skl' quickly with the tongue near the alveolar ridge, then glide into the light second syllable.
In US English, /ˈsklɪərə/ with a rhotic ending, where the /r/ is pronounced. In UK non-rhotic speech, the final /ɹ/ is often weaker or absent, sounding closer to /ˈsklɪə/ or /ˈ sklɪərə/. Australian English tends to be rhotic with a slightly closer first vowel and a more pronounced /ə/ in the second syllable. Across all, the initial /skl/ cluster remains stable; stress remains on the first syllable.
The difficulty lies in the rare cluster /skl-/ at the start, and the short, reduced second syllable that can drift toward an /ɪ/ or a schwa depending on the speaker. Additionally, final /ɹ/ varies by accent. Mastery requires training the tongue to release /skl/ cleanly, relaxing the jaw for a quick, subtle second vowel, and ensuring the final r is controlled rather than whispered.
No. Sclera is pronounced with all letters represented: /ˈsklɪərə/. The initial 'sc' is pronounced /sk/ as in 'scale' and not as /s/ alone, and the 'e' in the second syllable contributes a light /ə/ before the final /ɹ/. There’s no silent letter here; every letter helps form the two-syllable rhythm and the correct vowel sequence.
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Sclera originates from the Latin sclera, meaning the hard, hard-wearing outer coat. The Latin term derives from the Greek skleros (sklēros), meaning hard or robust, which entered medical Latin to describe the white, opaque outer layer of the eye. The word sclera first appears in English late in the 17th century as medical texts formalized ocular anatomy. Over time, the term broadened in use to encompass the entire opaque fibrous coat’s role in protection, structure, and muscle attachment. The root skler- is connected to other anatomical terms such as sclerosis (hardening) and sclerae (plural). The evolution reflects a precise naming convention in anatomy, distinguishing the opaque outer layer from the transparent cornea and the vascular choroid. The earliest known English usage appears in anatomy-focused works of the late 1600s to early 1700s, aligning with anatomical dissections and the systematization of ocular structures in medical literature.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sclera" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sclera" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Sclera"
-r-a sounds
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