stahps
/stɑps/
stops is pronounced stahps (/stɑps/). Stops is the plural noun form of the term for consonantal closures in phonetics, or a bottle stop or traffic halt in general usage. In linguistics, it refers to plosive sounds produced by complete obstruction of the airflow. In everyday speech, the word functions as a simple plural verb or noun; the sound pattern is a short, unstressed first syllable with a final /s/ or /z/ depending on voicing of the following context.
Stops is the plural noun form of the term for consonantal closures in phonetics, or a bottle stop or traffic halt in general usage. In linguistics, it refers to plosive sounds produced by complete obstruction of the airflow. In everyday speech, the word functions as a simple plural verb or noun; the sound pattern is a short, unstressed first syllable with a final /s/ or /z/ depending on voicing of the following context.
"The city installed new speed stops along the highway to reduce accidents."
"She pressed the… brakes to come to a stop, then counted several stops before the bus arrived."
"In English, the word "stops" often collocates with verbs like 'make,' 'list,' or 'ease' in technical discussions."
/stɒps/ in UK and /stɑps/ in US, with final voiceless /s/. The initial /st/ cluster is produced with a raised tongue blade and a small tongue tip contact at the alveolar ridge, releasing into a short vowel /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ depending on accent, followed by a voiceless /p/ burst and a final /s/. In connected speech you may hear a slight resilience on the /t/ before the release. IPA: US /stɑps/, UK /stɒps/. Audio reference: typical online dictionaries or pronunciation tools provide native clips.
Common errors include: 1) De-voicing the /p/ too early, making it sound like a weak /b/; ensure a clear release burst after the /t/ before the /s/. 2) Merging /st/ with a prolonged /s/ leading to a lisp-like sound; maintain a clean onset for the first consonant cluster and release before the /p/. 3) Underproducing the final /s/, especially in rapid speech; aim for a crisp, audible sibilant. Correct by exaggerating the release of /t/ and practicing with minimal pairs like 'stop' vs 'stops' to anchor the final /s/.
In US English the vowel is often /ɑ/ in 'stops', with a tighter /t/ release and a sharp /p/ followed by /s/. In UK English you may hear /ɒ/ or a broader /ɒ/ quality, with slightly crisper consonant releases; final /s/ remains voiceless. Australian English tends to have a more centralized vowel in some speakers, with a rapid, lighter /t/ release and an even more clipped /s/ in casual speech. Overall, rhoticity does not affect /st/ initial cluster; vowel quality in the stressed syllable is lattice to the regional vowel system. IPA notations: US /stɑps/, UK /stɒps/, AU /stɒps/.
The difficulty centers on managing the /st/ consonant cluster, the precise voicing of the following /t/ release, and the final /s/ in fluent speech. Learners often either voice the /t/ or merge it with the /p/ release, creating a single blended stop, or neglect the abrupt final /s/, causing a softer ending. Mastery requires timing the /t/ release clearly before the final /s/, keeping the tongue at the alveolar ridge for the /t/ and ensuring a crisp p-burst. Practicing with minimal pairs and controlled speed helps stabilize the sequence.
A unique aspect is the precise timing of the /t/ release before the final /s/, which can blur in rapid speech. Additionally, in some accents the /t/ is unreleased or flapped in casual contexts, changing the perceived quality of the /t/; this can affect the immediate transition to /s/. Focusing on a clean, audible /t/ burst prior to /s/ in slow practice, and then reducing speed with controlled breath and vocal tract stabilization, helps retain the characteristic plosive sequence.
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The word stops comes from Old English stoppan meaning to stop up or close, with related forms seen in German stoppen and Dutch stoppen. The semantic core evolved from the idea of blocking or closing an opening to the specific phonetic term for a complete obstruction of the airstream, a “stop” or plosive consonant. In linguistics, the term was popularized in the 19th century as scholars categorized consonants by mode of articulation; a plosive is characterized by a complete momentary closure of the oral tract, followed by a brief release. The plural form, stops, emerged naturally as the noun plural or verbal form when referring to multiple instances of these closures or actions. First known written uses occur in technical linguistics texts from the late 1800s, aligning with broader developments in articulatory phonetics during the modern linguistic era. The usage broadened to include mechanical “stops” in engines and valves, and later to everyday terms like “stops” on a route or at a traffic light, preserving the core sense of a momentary halt or closure across domains.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "stops" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "stops" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "stops"
-ops sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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