3 syllables: Stren, u, ous. Stress on Stren.
STREN-yoo-uhs
/ˈstɹɛnjuəs/
Strenuous is pronounced STREN-yoo-uhs (/ˈstɹɛnjuəs/). It has three syllables (Stren-u-ous), with the stress on "Stren". Strenuous is an adjective describing something that requires great effort or energy. It often refers to physical exertion or tasks that demand considerable mental or physical persistence. The word carries a sense of intensity and challenge, implying that the activity tests endurance or strength.
adjectiveStrenuous is an adjective describing something that requires great effort or energy. It often refers to physical exertion or tasks that demand considerable mental or physical persistence. The word carries a sense of intensity and challenge, implying that the activity tests endurance or strength.
- You might flatten the first syllable vowel, producing /ˈstrɛn/ without the following /ju/; fix by clearly releasing /ju/ as a separate syllable. • Don't reduce the middle, ensure the /j/ is audible and not swallowed. • Avoid running the final /əs/ into the preceding /u/; end with a crisp /əs/. Practice with slow repetitions, emphasizing the break between STRÉN and -ju- prefix. You’ll improve fluency by isolating each component and then combining them at a natural tempo.
"Climbing the mountain was strenuous, but the hikers reached the summit by noon."
"The workout routine is strenuous, so take breaks as needed."
"She faced a strenuous schedule this week, juggling meetings, deadlines, and family commitments."
US: /ˈstrɛn.ju.əs/ — the stress is on the first syllable. Break it intoSTRÉN-ju-ous, with a light, unstressed middle and a clear final -əs. Visualize starting with STR- as in STRength, then -en- as in end, -yu- as in you, and -ous as in us. IPA helps keep the second and third syllables distinct. Say it slowly: STRÉN-ju-ous; speed up gradually while maintaining the -ju- and -əs portions. You’ll hear the palatal glide /j/ linking the second and third syllables. Audio reference: refer to standard dictionaries or Pronounce for an exact clip.”,
Two common errors: (1) stressing the wrong syllable, often saying /ˈstrɛnsjuəs/ or misplacing stress on the second syllable; ensure primary stress on STRÉN-. (2) slurring the /j/ into the following /u/ or omitting the /j/ entirely, producing /ˈstrɛn.uəs/ or /ˈstrɛn.dju.əs/. To correct: practice the middle glide /ju/ as a distinct semivowel, lightly releasing it before the final /əs/. Use slow, deliberate repetitions focusing on the split between /n/ and /j/ to avoid blending. “Strenuous” should sound like STRÉN-nyoo-uhs when spoken naturally.”,
US: /ˈstrɛn.ju.əs/ with a rhotic, clear /r/ in surrounding words; UK: /ˈstren.juː.əs/ with shorter /e/ and a slightly more rounded /juː/ vowel; AU: /ˈstren.dʒu.əs/ or /ˈstrɛn.ju.əs/, with Australian vowel shifts making /e/ closer to /eː/ in some contexts and a tendency toward a flatter prosody. The main differences lie in vowel quality and the rhythm of the schwa-like ending; rhotics are more pronounced in US speech when in connected speech. Practice with each variant to ensure intelligibility across contexts.”,
The difficulty stems from the three-syllable structure with a mid-to-high back vowel in the first syllable, followed by a palatal glide /j/ before the final syllable, and a final /əs/ cluster. The combination of a tense /str/ onset, the /ɛn/ vowel in stressed position, and the /ju/ glide requires precise mouth positioning: a strong initial burst, a quick move to a light /n/ before /ju/, and a clear, unstressed final schwa+s. Mastery demands controlled timing of the /j/ glide and an accurate final /əs/.
Yes. The presence of the /ju/ glide between the stressed first syllable and the final unstressed /əs/ makes the word glide more than typical three-syllable words. The challenge is maintaining a crisp first syllable /strɛn/ with a separate /ju/ before the /əs/. People often run the /ju/ into the following vowel or reduce it too much. Focus on a clean, audible /j/ then a short, almost separate /u/ before the final /əs/ to maintain clarity and rhythm.
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- US: Pronounce the initial /r/ in contextual speech; the /r/ is rhotic and influences surrounding vowels. - UK: The /ju/ is often shorter and less rounded; the /e/ in STRÉN- is closer to /e/ than /æ/. - AU: Vowel shift may produce a slightly broader /e/; watch for more clipped vowels. Use IPA comparisons to calibrate your ear. - General tip: keep the first syllable stressed and maintain a short, crisp /j/ glide before the final /əs/.
Strenuous comes from the Latin word strenuous, which itself derives from strict, stern or strained roots. The form traveled into English through Old French and Latin influences, aligning with senses of force, effort, and intensity. In Latin, strenuous is linked to stringere “to draw tight” and stringere was used to convey tension or hard effort; the modern sense expands on exertion and physical demand. The word appears in Middle English with roots tied to force and exertion and then gradually fused into everyday usage to describe laborious tasks or activities that require significant stamina. Through the centuries, the nuance shifted slightly from physical force to a broader application including mental or emotional effort, but the core idea—significant exertion—remains central. The first known uses in English literature reflect descriptions of strenuous labor or a strenuous journey, often conveying the strain experienced by the subject. Over time, the word became a stable adjective in common usage, frequently paired with activities that are taxing, demanding, or strenuous in nature. Modern usage emphasizes intensity and perseverance, whether in fitness, work, or other demanding endeavors.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Strenuous" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Strenuous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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