3 syllables: Si, ri, us. Stress on Si.
SIR-eers
/ˈsɪˌɹɪəs/
Sirius is pronounced SIR-eers (/ˈsɪˌɹɪəs/). It has three syllables (Si-ri-us), with the stress on "Si". Sirius is a proper noun used most commonly for the bright star in Canis Major and as a given name. In astronomy, it denotes the star also known as the Dog Star, notable for its brightness. The term can appear in literature, science fiction, and modern naming, often conveying brilliance or loyalty associated with the star’s prominence.
nounSirius is a proper noun used most commonly for the bright star in Canis Major and as a given name. In astronomy, it denotes the star also known as the Dog Star, notable for its brightness. The term can appear in literature, science fiction, and modern naming, often conveying brilliance or loyalty associated with the star’s prominence.
How to Pronounce Sirius
"The telescope revealed Sirius rising just above the horizon."
"She named her dog Sirius after the star because of its luminescence."
"Astronomers study Sirius to learn about stellar evolution and pulsation."
Pronounce as /ˈsɪr.i.əs/ with primary stress on the first syllable. Start with a short, clipped /s/ followed by /ɪ/ as in ‘sit’, then a clear /r/ with a light tongue contact. The second syllable has a schwa-like quality /iə/ in many accents, but in careful speech it’s /i/ plus a weak /əs/ ending. Audio references: consult standard dictionaries or pronunciation videos; try saying “SIR-ee-us.”
Common errors: (1) Dropping the final /əs/ or turning it into a sound like /əs/ → /əs/ with reduced vowel, (2) Turning /r/ into a soft or non-rhotic variant, (3) Making /ɪ/ too lax or too long, resembling ‘serious’ or ‘Sairy-uss.’ Correction: keep the final /əs/ crisp, present the /ɪ/ as a short vowel, and articulate /r/ clearly in the first syllable, ensuring the sequence stays /ˈsɪr.i.əs/ without vowel fusion to /ˈsɪriəs/ or /ˈsɪr.i.əs/ with reduced final. Practice with minimal pairs and slow demos.”,[“pronunciation
US: strong /ɹ/ in /ˈsɪr.i.əs/, final /əs/ with a light schwa; UK: similar but often crisper /t/less, maybe less rhoticity in rapid speech, AU: tends to maintain rhotic /ɹ/ but can flatten vowels; all maintain primary stress on first syllable. Key differences: vowel quality in /ɪ/ vs /ɪə/ in some casual UK speech, and /ɜː/ variants in older or stylized speech. IPA anchors: US /ˈsɪɹ.i.əs/; UK /ˈsɪ.ɹi.əs/; AU /ˈsɪɹ.i.əs/ with slight vowel narrowing.” ,
Because the word blends a sharp initial /s/ with a rolling /r/ and a complex trailing /i.əs/ sequence where the final vowel is unstressed and easily reduced. Learners often substitute /ɪ/ with /iː/ or omit the /ə/ in the final syllable, producing /ˈsɪriəs/ or /ˈsɪrjəs/. The challenge is keeping each syllable distinct while not overemphasizing the final /əs/. Focus on the clean /r/ and crisp end consonant cluster.
A unique aspect is the subtle vowel transition from /ɪ/ to /i/ across the syllables, and the final unstressed /əs/ that can reduce to a schwa in rapid speech. You’ll often hear a very quick /ɪr.i.əs/ with a nearly silent final consonant before the /s/ in fluent speech. Paying attention to the exact reduction while maintaining intelligibility keeps you from sounding unnatural.”,
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- US: rhotic /ɹ/ is strongly pronounced; keep the tongue curled slightly but not bunched; /ɪ/ clean, immediate /r/ onset. - UK: often non-rhotic or lightly rhotic; the /r/ may be less pronounced; the middle vowel can be slightly tense, producing /ˈsɪ.ɹi.əs/ with a tighter /i/; - AU: similar to US with a slightly broader vowel around /ɪ/ to /i:/; maintain a stable /ɹ/ and clear final /əs/; IPA reference: US /ˈsɪɹiəs/, UK /ˈsɪ.ri.əs/, AU /ˈsɪɹ.i.əs/; practical tip: practise with a non-rolling /r/ for clarity and adjust to local rhoticity.”,
Sirius originates from Ancient Greek Seirios ( Σερίος), meaning ‘glowing’ or ‘scorching,’ reflecting the star’s intense brightness. The word traveled through Latin as Sirius and into English, aligning with the classical reverence for celestial bodies. The term is tied to the Dog Star due to its heliacal rising in summer when Sirius coincided with the rising of the mythical dog associated with Orion. First attested in English in the early modern period, Sirius began to denote the bright star in Canis Major, later extending to names and fictional uses that imply brightness, guidance, or distinction. The name itself has been adopted for ships, satellites, and fiction, underscoring its enduring association with luminosity and prominence across cultures and time, and retaining the classical sense of brilliance in contemporary usage.
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Help others use "Sirius" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sirius" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Sirius"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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