4 syllables: Sco, li, o, sis. Stress on li.
skoh-LEYE-uh-sis
/skoʊˈlaɪəsɪs/
Scoliosis is pronounced skoh-LEYE-uh-sis (/skoʊˈlaɪəsɪs/). It has four syllables (Sco-li-o-sis), with the stress on "li". Scoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, often forming an S- or C-shaped curve. It can affect posture, appearance, and sometimes breathing and back pain, depending on severity. The term is used in medical, educational, and patient contexts to describe this spinal deformity.
nounScoliosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, often forming an S- or C-shaped curve. It can affect posture, appearance, and sometimes breathing and back pain, depending on severity. The term is used in medical, educational, and patient contexts to describe this spinal deformity.
"Her doctor diagnosed scoliosis after an X-ray showed a lateral spinal curve."
"Physical therapy can help manage scoliosis and improve mobility."
"In severe scoliosis, bracing or surgery may be recommended to prevent progression."
US/UK/AU pronunciation: /ˌskɒl.iˈoʊ.sɪs/ (US) or /ˌskəʊ.liˈəʊ.sɪs/ (UK) with primary stress on the third syllable: sclio‑LI‑o-sis. Break it as sko‑LI‑o‑sis, with the 'li' as a clear syllable, and the final 'sis' as a light, unstressed ending. Tip: start with “skol” cluster, then stress falls on the penultimate syllable, followed by a light “sis.” Audio reference: you can match this to standard medical pronunciations in dictionaries or medical audio resources.
Common errors: misplacing stress (placing it on the first or last syllable), mispronouncing the ‘sc’ cluster (sˈko-lio-sis instead of skəˈliːoʊsɪs), or pronouncing the middle vowel as a long 'o' not a short 'i' sound. Correct by stressing the ‘li’ more clearly and keeping the final '-sis' light and unstressed. Ensure you articulate the 'li' as a clear syllable /ˈli/ and avoid turning it into /ˈliːo/. Practicing syllable-by-syllable helps stabilize the rhythm.
In US: /ˌskoʊl.iˈoʊ.sɪs/ with rhotic /r/-less 'scol' cluster softened, and final /sɪs/. In UK: /ˌskəʊ.liˈəʊ.sɪs/ with more reduction in the unstressed vowels and a slightly quicker rhythm. In Australia: /ˌskɒl.iˈəʊ.sɪs/ or /ˌskəʊˈliː.əs/ depending on speaker, but generally similar to UK with less rhoticity; vowel qualities vary by region. Core is stress on the penultimate or antepenultimate syllable depending on context; ensure clear /ɒ/ or /ɒl/ onset in 'sco' and a distinct /li/ before /oʊ/.
Because it has multiple syllables with a consonant cluster at the start (sc), a mid syllable /li/ that requires a clear vowel distinction, and a final unstressed /sɪs/ that blends quickly. The combination of the /sko/ or /skəu/ onset, the stressed /liˈoʊ/ sequence, and the trailing /sɪs/ can trip speakers, especially with non-native English. Focus on isolating each syllable and practicing the shift from /li/ to /oʊ/ smoothly, using controlled breathing to avoid guzzling the vowels.
In clinical and general usage, the initial cluster is /sk/, as in SKO-, with the 'sc' representing /sk/ as in 'school' without the 'h' sound. The 'sc' here is not /s/ alone; it’s the /sk/ cluster. Emphasize /sk/ at the start, then move to the /oʊ/ or /oʊ./ vowel sounds in the next syllable. This helps keep the onset crisp and reduces slurring of the initial consonants.
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Scoliosis derives from the Greek skoliosis, with skoli- meaning bent or curved, and -osis denoting a condition or process. The root skoli- comes from skolio, meaning bent or curved, first attested in medical Greek contexts to describe deformities of the spine. In ancient medicine, similar terms described crooked limbs or bodies, evolving in Latinized medical nomenclature through the Middle Ages as anatomy and orthopedics emerged. By the 19th and 20th centuries, scoliosis became a established clinical diagnosis within orthopedics, paired with imaging technologies (like X-ray) to measure the degree of curvature (Cobb angle). The word’s core idea—abnormal bending of the spine—has remained constant, while the language around surveillance, treatment, and patient education has expanded to include nonsurgical management and surgical options.
💡 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 "Scoliosis" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Scoliosis"
-sis sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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