2 syllables: Sour, ces. Stress on Sour.
SAWR-suhz
/ˈsɔɹsəz/
Sources is pronounced SAWR-suhz (/ˈsɔɹsəz/). It has two syllables (Sour-ces), with the stress on "Sour". Sources refers to origins or evidence for information; it can describe places from which something originates or the authorship of information. It is commonly used in research to attribute evidence or references. The term can function as a plural noun or, less often, as a singular collective in specialized contexts.
nounSources refers to origins or evidence for information; it can describe places from which something originates or the authorship of information. It is commonly used in research to attribute evidence or references. The term can function as a plural noun or, less often, as a singular collective in specialized contexts.
"Researchers cited multiple sources to support their conclusions."
"The museum released a list of sources for the exhibit’s information panels."
"We must verify the sources before publishing the article."
Pronounce as two syllables: SOR-siz, with primary stress on the first syllable. In IPA for US/UK variations: US: ˈsɔːrsɪz, UK: ˈsɔːsɪz. Begin with an open-mid back vowel followed by a rhotic 'r' in American varieties; the final 'ces' is pronounced as /-ɪz/. Mouth positions: lips neutral to slightly rounded for /ɔː/, tongue mid-back, tip of the tongue lightly touching the alveolar ridge for the /s/ and /z/ transitions. If you’re in careful, careful speech, keep the /r/ clearly audible in US accents; in non-rhotic UK varieties the /r/ is not pronounced unless before a vowel.
Common errors: (1) Turning /ɔː/ into a shorter /ɒ/ sound, (2) pronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ or neglecting the /ɪ/ vowel in the second syllable. Correction: maintain the broad /ɔː/ in the first syllable, keep a distinct vowel in the second syllable /ɪ/ before /z/, and articulate the final /z/ as a voiced fricative /z/ with voicing throughout. Practicing slow, exaggerated enunciation helps enforce the /ɪz/ ending rather than a clipped /ɪz/ or /ɪz/ blending.
In US English, you’ll typically hear a pronounced rhotic /r/ in /ˈsɔːr/; stress remains on the first syllable. In UK English, the /r/ is non-rhotic, so it sounds closer to /ˈsɔːsɪz/ with a longer, pure /ɔː/ vowel and no /r/ following it. Australian English often sits between, with a rounded back vowel /ɔː/ and a light /ɹ/ not strongly pronounced. The final /ɪz/ remains common, but some speakers reduce the unstressed vowel slightly. Listen for rhythm: US tends to be slightly more syllabic; UK/AU can be more clipped in rapid speech.
Difficulties include length and vowel quality in the first syllable in rapid speech, plus the /ɪ/ quick vowel before the final /z/ making the ending tricky to distinguish from /s/. The transition from the long /ɔː/ to the /ɹ/ or/between syllables requires careful tongue positioning—keep the tongue relatively high for /ɔː/ before the alveolar fricatives. The final /ɪz/ can blur together if you compress the syllables; ensure a brief, clean /ɪ/ before /z/.
No, there is no silent letter here. The challenge lies in producing the voiced /z/ at the end and maintaining the vowel quality of /ɔː/ in the first syllable, especially when the word precedes punctuation or is spoken quickly. Ensure you articulate the /s/ before the /ɪ/ clearly so the /ɪz/ isn't reduced to /əz/ in casual speech; practicing with minimal pairs like sources vs. surged can help cast light on that contrast.
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Sources comes from the Middle English word socour, borrowed from Old French secours meaning help or aid, which in turn derives from Latin subsidium meaning aid or support. The modern plural form sources developed through suffixal pluralization of source, which attested in English from the late Old English period as a noun meaning origin or fountain. Over time, the term expanded semantically from physical origins (e.g., wellsprings) to abstract affiliations (e.g., textual references). By the Renaissance, sources were routinely cataloged in scholarly works, reflecting the increasing emphasis on attribution. In contemporary English, sources retain dual usage: (1) the origins or places of information, and (2) the listed references or evidentiary materials used to support a claim. The pronunciation remained stable as /ˈsɔːrsɪz/ in non-rhotic accents and often reduced to /ˈsɔːrsɪz/ in rhotic varieties; the vowel in the first syllable reflects a short to mid back vowel, with plural -es pronounced as /-ɪz/ in many dialects. First known uses appear in 13th-century English texts, with evolving spelling variations including sourses and sources as scribal abbreviations diminished over time.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sources" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sources" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Sources"
-ses sounds
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