2 syllables: star, burst. Stress on star.
STAHR-burst
/ˈstɑːrˌbɜːst/
starburst is pronounced STAHR-burst (/ˈstɑːrˌbɜːst/). It has two syllables (star-burst), with the stress on "star". Starburst refers to a burst of star-like shapes or patterns, often produced in graphics or packaging, or to a fruit-flavored candy shaped like a starburst. In metaphorical use, it describes something explosive or radiant. The term conveys vivid, radiant dispersion or an energetic display, and it can be used as a brand name or descriptive descriptor in marketing and design contexts.
Starburst refers to a burst of star-like shapes or patterns, often produced in graphics or packaging, or to a fruit-flavored candy shaped like a starburst. In metaphorical use, it describes something explosive or radiant. The term conveys vivid, radiant dispersion or an energetic display, and it can be used as a brand name or descriptive descriptor in marketing and design contexts.
"The candy contains a chewy center with a sugary starburst outside."
"The fireworks formed a starburst pattern across the night sky."
"The logo featured a bright starburst radiating from the sun."
Starburst is stressed on the first syllable: /ˈstɑːrˌbɜːst/ (US) or /ˈstɑː(r)bɜːst/ (UK/AU). Start with the open back vowel /ɑː/ in "star", then an /r/ if you’re rhotic. The second syllable is /bɜːst/ with a clear /b/ onset and final /st/. Keep jaw slightly open for /ɑː/ and finish with a crisp /st/ cluster; avoid adding extra vowels after /st/.
Common errors: (1) Altering the /ɑː/ in STAR to a short /æ/ or /ɒ/; keep the long back vowel. (2) Softening the /r/ in non-rhotic accents before the /b/; try to maintain a light rhotic quality in US. (3) Slurring the /rb/ cluster into /r/ or /b/; aim for distinct /r/ then /b/ with a crisp /ɜː/ vowel. Practice with minimal pairs STAR—STA; or /ˈstɑːr/ vs /ˈstɔː/ to tune vowel quality.
In US, final cluster /bɜːst/ tends to keep a rhotacized /ɜː/ and a slightly longer /ɜː/. In UK, the /r/ is often non-rhotic, producing /ˈstɑːˌbɜːst/ with a weaker /r/; vowel quality in /ɑː/ can be more open. Australian typically aligns with US for rhotics but may show a shorter /ɜː/ and a more centralized /ɜ/. Overall: rhotic vs non-rhotic influence on the /r/ and small vowel shifts in /ɑː/ and /ɜː/.
Two main challenges: the consonant cluster /rb/ following the stressed syllable can blur if spoken quickly, and the vowel quality of /ɑː/ vs /ɜː/ can blur under fast speech. The sequence STAR- BURST requires precise timing: maintain a short, crisp /b/ onset after the /r/; avoid inserting extra vowels between /r/ and /b/. Additionally, in non-rhotic accents, the /r/ may be silent, diminishing the distinct /rb/ sequence.
The word’s primary feature is the strong initial stress on STAR and the immediate /b/ onset in the second syllable, creating a tight, two-consonant onset cluster (/rb/). The /r/ links with the /b/ to form a rapid transition, so you should keep the /r/ audible in rhotic varieties while avoiding a plateau of extraneous vowel between /r/ and /b/. The contrastive vowel in /ɑː/ vs /ɜː/ defines the core vowel identity across accents.
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Starburst combines two elements: star and burst. Star derives from Old English ster/steorra, from Proto-Germanic *sternô, tracing to Proto-Indo-European root *ster- meaning ‘to shine, stiffen, or form a star’. Burst comes from Old English byrstian or birstan, related to burst (as in break apart suddenly). The modern compound likely emerged in late 19th or early 20th century as decorative terms for graphic bursts or candy shapes. In branding, starburst gained prominence in the marketing era of vivid visual language, with the term used descriptively for fireworks designs and explosive visual motifs. The candy brand Starburst, introduced by Mars, Incorporated in the 1960s, popularized the term in consumer culture, associating the word with fruity, radiating sweetness and energetic appeal. In contemporary usage, starburst often appears in design, gaming, and digital interfaces to describe star-shaped, radiating graphics with a sense of energy and highlight.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "starburst" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "starburst" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "starburst"
-rst sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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