3 syllables: Te, ta, nus. Stress on Te.
TET-uh-nuhs
/ˈtɛtənəs/
Tetanus is pronounced TET-uh-nuhs (/ˈtɛtənəs/). It has three syllables (Te-ta-nus), with the stress on "Te". Tetanus is a noun referring to a serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani, characterized by painful muscle spasms and rigidity. It can result from contaminated wounds and is preventable through vaccination. The term also appears in broader medical contexts related to the condition and its symptoms. Proper pronunciation helps ensure clear medical communication and safety discussions.
nounTetanus is a noun referring to a serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani, characterized by painful muscle spasms and rigidity. It can result from contaminated wounds and is preventable through vaccination. The term also appears in broader medical contexts related to the condition and its symptoms. Proper pronunciation helps ensure clear medical communication and safety discussions.
- You may elongate the middle vowel, making it te-TAH-nus. Focus on keeping the æ short and crisp. - You might wobble the final -nus into -nəs or -nus; aim for a quick, clipped ending with a clear /nəs/. - Stress drift: avoid shifting emphasis to the first syllable; keep primary stress on the second syllable te-TA-nus. - Ensure a clean initial schwa in the first syllable; avoid a full, strong 'te' at the start.
How to Pronounce Tetanus
"The patient was diagnosed with tetanus after a dirty wound became infected."
"Medical staff must be aware of tetanus prophylaxis in wound care."
"Tetanus vaccines are routinely given in childhood and boosted later in life."
Tetanus is pronounced /təˈtæ.nəs/ in US and UK. The stress falls on the second syllable: te-TA-nus. Start with a schwa + t, then a short æ as in 'cat', followed by a light n-ə-s ending. For Australian speakers, the vowels are similar, but connected speech may blur the final syllables slightly. Listen for the clear middle stress and the short, crisp final -nəs. IPA guidance helps you lock in the rhythm and reduce misplacement of the stress.
Common errors include misplacing the stress on the first syllable (te-TA-nus misunderstanding), pronouncing the middle vowel as a full æ or as a long e, and slurring the final -nus to -nus or -nas. To correct: keep the primary stress on the second syllable, use a short æ for the middle vowel, and finish with a crisp -nus rather than a nasalized or drawn-out sound. Practice with breaks: te-ta-nus, then full word with proper timing.
In all three accents, the word centers on the second syllable: te-TA-nus. US and UK typically use a clear /əˈtæ.nəs/ with a short æ. Australian English mirrors this but may have slightly less vowel duration and a more clipped final syllable due to broader accent patterns. Rhotic vs non-rhotic tendencies do not alter tetanus pronunciation significantly; the rhotic quality is not strongly present in the final syllable. IPA remains /təˈtæ nəs/ across regions.
Key challenges include the sequence of two unstressed syllables around a strong second-syllable stress and achieving a precise short æ vowel in the middle. The cluster -tæ-nəs requires careful tongue placement: a relaxed schwa starter, then a crisp æ, and a light final -nəs. Mispronunciations often involve over-lengthening the middle vowel or shifting stress. Slow practice with IPA cues helps stabilize muscle memory and ensure uniform articulation across contexts.
There are no silent letters in tetanus, but the sequence te-TA-nus hinges on subtle vowel timing and the alveolar nasal at the end. The middle æ should be a short, quick vowel; avoid an overlong vowel like ‘tech’ or an unvoiced ending. The challenge is balancing a clean first syllable onset with a precise second syllable vowel and a succinct final syllable. Focus on the rhythm rather than trying to make any part overly long.
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- US: /təˈtæ.nəs/ with a rhotic-less American R? Actually tetanus ends with -nəs; US English has a neutral schwa in the first syllable and a marked second syllable /ˈ tæ/; keep the /ə/ before /ˈtæ/ quiet. The middle æ is short; the final /nəs/ is clear. - UK: similar, but often a slightly crisper /ˈtæ/ and less vowel length in the final -əs. - AU: similar to UK/US but with a more concise, slack mouth posture; keep the mid-vowel short and the final sibilant clear. IPA anchor: US /təˈtæ.nəs/, UK /təˈtæ.nəs/, AU /təˈtæ.nəs/.
Tetanus originates from the Greek te tanos? No, from tetanos, meaning ‘stretched, stretched tight’ from the verb tenô, ‘to stretch’. The term was adopted into medical usage in the 19th century to describe the characteristic muscle rigidity and hypertonia caused by the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. The root tetan- is related to tetanus, signifying tension and stiffness; the suffix -us marks a noun in Latin. Early medical literature used tetanismus and closely related forms before the standardization to tetanus in English. Over time, the word spread with the rise of germ theory and bacteriology in the late 1800s, as clinicians described the condition’s pathophysiology, symptoms, and prevention through vaccination. The usage reflects a direct link to the symptomatology (tetan- meaning stiff, tense) and the Latin/Greek tradition of naming diseases after observable characteristics. The first known clinical descriptions date back to antiquity in cases of severe muscle rigidity, but the modern term tetanus solidified in the 19th century as immunology and microbiology advanced, enabling clearer communication about this dangerous neuroparalytic infection.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Tetanus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Tetanus"
-nus sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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