3 syllables: Sil, i, ca. Stress on Sil.
SIL-uh-kuh
/ˈsɪləkə/
Silica is pronounced SIL-uh-kuh (/ˈsɪləkə/). It has three syllables (Sil-i-ca), with the stress on "Sil". Silica is a chemical compound consisting of silicon and oxygen, typically in the form of silicon dioxide or silicate minerals. In geology and materials science, it denotes sand, quartz, and related minerals, or the glass-forming component in many materials. It is ubiquitous in Earth's crust and essential in industrial applications, from glass manufacture to silicon-based semiconductors.
nounSilica is a chemical compound consisting of silicon and oxygen, typically in the form of silicon dioxide or silicate minerals. In geology and materials science, it denotes sand, quartz, and related minerals, or the glass-forming component in many materials. It is ubiquitous in Earth's crust and essential in industrial applications, from glass manufacture to silicon-based semiconductors.
"The sand in the riverbank is mostly silica."
"Industrial glass derives much of its strength from silica networks."
"Silica particles are used as a desiccant in packaging."
Pronounce as /ˈsɪ·lɪ·kə/ across English varieties. The stress is on the first syllable: SI-li-ca. The middle vowel is a short /ɪ/ as in 'sit', and the final 'ca' is a schwa-like /kə/. Tip: say ‘SILL-ih-kuh’ quickly, keeping the second syllable light. Audio reference: consult Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries for native speaker pronunciation examples.
Common errors include over-drawing the middle syllable (making it ‘SIL-ICK-a’ with a full /ɪ/), or misplacing stress as SI-LI-ca with stress on the second syllable. Another pitfall is pronouncing the final ‘ca’ as /keɪ/ or /kaɪ/; it should be /kə/. To correct: keep middle vowel short and unstressed, deliver final schwa clearly, and maintain first-syllable prominence like ‘SIH-lih-kuh.’
In US/UK/AU, the primary variation is in vowel quality and rhoticity. US pronunciation /ˈsɪ·lɪ·kə/ rhymes with 'biker' minus the r, with a separate /ɪ/ in first two syllables. UK /ˈsɪlɪkə/ similar but often with crisper vowel separation and non-rhoticity; AU is very similar to UK but with a slightly more clipped delivery. Overall, the rhythm and stress remain constant; the main shift is vowel quality and the potential flattening of the final schwa in rapid speech.
Two factors: the short, quick mid syllable /ɪ/ in the second syllable and the unstressed final /ə/ can blur in rapid speech. English has a tendency to reduce unstressed vowels, which can muffle the final syllable and alter clarity. Additionally, the combination of an open front vowel in the first syllable with a light, unstressed middle can lead speakers to over-accent the middle or misplace stress. Focusing on crisp first syllable stress helps anchor the word.
A Silica-specific item is the clear, short middle vowel /ɪ/ in the second syllable without an intrusive vowel or extra consonant; avoid forming a diphthong in the /ɪ/ or adding a strong /i/ sound. Also maintain the unaltered /k/ before the final schwa; do not voice it as /g/ or /kʰ/ accidentally. This combination—stressed first syllable, short middle /ɪ/, final schwa—defines silica’s natural pronunciation.
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- US: /ˈsɪ·lɪkə/. Slight rhotic influence is minimal; keep a crisp /ɪ/ in first and second syllables. - UK: /ˈsɪlɪkə/. Slightly crisper syllable separation; non-rhotic, final /ə/ is light. - AU: /ˈsɪlɪkə/. Similar to UK, often more clipped; keep middle /ɪ/ short and final /ə/ quiet yet present. IPA references: /ˈsɪlɪkə/ across varieties. - Tips: train with ear-focused listening and mimic native glosses; avoid converting the middle /ɪ/ to /iː/.
Silica comes from the Latin word siliceus, meaning ’of flint’ or ’flinty.’ The root sil- traces to silire, meaning to spark or flash, and is related to the Greek helios-related terms via early mineralogical language. The modern chemical sense emerged from 18th–19th century explorations of silica dioxide and silicates by chemists studying rock-forming minerals. The term quartz Silicon dioxide was commonly used, while ‘silica’ in geology often refers to silicate minerals with SiO2 as a dominant component. The word’s semantic development mirrors the shift from a general mineral descriptor to a specific chemical compound and class (SiO2 and silicates) used across chemistry, geology, materials science, and industrial manufacturing. First known uses appear in Latin scientific texts describing silica-containing minerals, gradually adopted into English scientific vocabulary in the 18th and 19th centuries as a standard term for silicon dioxide in crystalline and amorphous forms.
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Help others use "Silica" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Silica" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Silica" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Silica"
-ica sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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