2 syllables: Tau, rus. Stress on Tau.
TAW-ruhs
/ˈtɔɹəs/
Taurus is pronounced TAW-ruhs (/ˈtɔɹəs/). It has two syllables (Tau-rus), with the stress on "Tau". Taurus is a noun referring to the second astrological sign of the zodiac, roughly spanning late April to late May, and associated with the bull. It also denotes the Bull constellation and can describe a person born under this sign. In astronomy, Taurus lies along the ecliptic and is recognized for its fixed, earth-themed symbolism within astrology.
nounTaurus is a noun referring to the second astrological sign of the zodiac, roughly spanning late April to late May, and associated with the bull. It also denotes the Bull constellation and can describe a person born under this sign. In astronomy, Taurus lies along the ecliptic and is recognized for its fixed, earth-themed symbolism within astrology.
"A Taurus tends to be steady, practical, and patient when facing challenges."
"The bull represents Taurus in many ancient cultures and myths."
"Astrology fans often check their Taurus forecasts at the start of spring."
Taurus is pronounced /ˈtɔːrəs/ in US and UK English, with the emphasis on the first syllable: TAU-rus. In American speech, the 'au' often sounds like the 'aw' in ‘law,’ and the second syllable is unstressed. The mouth starts with an open back vowel, then a rhotic 'r' followed by a schwa-like or reduced 'ə' in the final syllable. For Australian English, you’ll hear a similar /ˈtɔːrəs/ but with a slightly flatter vowel and a non-rhotic tendency in some accents. Listen for the short, crisp 'r' and a soft ending in rapid speech.
Common errors include misplacing the stress as ta-UR-us instead of TAU-rus and mispronouncing the AU vowel as a long 'a' as in 'cat' rather than the approximant /ɔː/ or /ɔː/. Another frequent slip is turning the final -us into -us with an extra syllable or voiceless ending. Correct by stressing the first syllable, using /ˈtɔːrəs/, and keeping the final -s lightly syllabic, not buzzing. Practice with minimal pairs and speed control to avoid over-enunciating the final vowel.
In US and UK, the initial syllable uses a broad /ɔː/ vowel, with a rhotic /r/ in US accents and a possibly non-rhotic /r/ in some UK varieties depending on speaker. Australian English tends toward /ˈtɔːrəs/ with a slightly shorter or centralized vowel and a non-strong rhotic, but still maintains the /r/ in the coda position for most speakers. Overall, the main differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in the first syllable, plus subtle vowel length and intonation differences between regions.
The challenge lies in the initial /ˈtɔː/ vowel quality and the medial /r/ combination, which can be tricky for non-native speakers who aren’t used to an American-style rhotic /r/ or a pure /r/ following a rounded vowel. The final /əs/ can be reduced to /əs/ or /əs/ with a subtle schwa, so learners often overemphasize the -us ending. Focus on a clean, stressed first syllable and a short, distinct -rus ending with a light, non-sibilant -s.
There isn’t a silent letter in Taurus, but the stress pattern TAU-rus is a strong-weak pattern where the first syllable is stressed. This means you should not reduce the first syllable. The 'au' represents a long vowel sound in many varieties, and the final 'rus' should have a clearly enunciated 'r' before a light 's'. This precise stress and vowel quality helps distinguish Taurus from similar-looking words like 'taurus' used in other contexts.
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Taurus comes from Latin, named after the Taurus constellation. The term is ultimately rooted in the Proto-Italic word *tauro-*, which in turn derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *tauro-*, meaning ‘bull.’ The Latin form Taurus appears in Classical texts to denote the bull as both animal and astrological sign. In ancient Greece and Rome, the bull symbol carried strong fertilitiy and strength connotations, later merging with astrological tradition that maps the sun’s path into twelve signs. The constellation Taurus has been observed since antiquity, with early astronomy texts referencing its bright star Aldebaran and the V-shaped Hyades cluster marking its face. Over time, Taurus shifted from a purely mythic bull to a zodiacal symbol representing patient endurance, grounded, material stability, and sensual enjoyment in horoscopic readings. First known written uses appear in Latin works of the Roman era, with later medieval and Renaissance astrological treatises formalizing its position in the zodiac and connecting it to the bull myth across cultures.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Taurus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Taurus" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Taurus"
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