3 syllables: The, sau, rus. Stress on sau.
thuh-SAW-ruhs
/θəˈsɔɹəs/
Thesaurus is pronounced thuh-SAW-ruhs (/θəˈsɔɹəs/). It has three syllables (The-sau-rus), with the stress on "sau". Thesaurus is a reference book or online resource that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning (synonyms) and sometimes by contrast (antonyms). It helps you find alternative words and nuance in word choice. The term also refers to a collection of synonyms and related terms for any given word, not just a single dictionary entry.
nounThesaurus is a reference book or online resource that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning (synonyms) and sometimes by contrast (antonyms). It helps you find alternative words and nuance in word choice. The term also refers to a collection of synonyms and related terms for any given word, not just a single dictionary entry.
"I used a thesaurus to replace common words with more precise synonyms in my essay."
"The project required a thesaurus that grouped synonyms by nuance and formality."
"She kept a pocket thesaurus to consult while writing on the go."
Pronounce as thɪˈsɔːrəs in US and UK accents, stressing the second syllable. The initial 'th' is voiced (as in think) and the vowel is a short i in the first syllable, followed by a clear secondary stress on -SAU- before -rus: the-sau-rus. In careful speech, you’ll hear hai-: the second syllable carries primary stress; IPA: /θɪˈsɔːrəs/. For Australian English, maintain the same stress pattern with a slightly more rounded /ɔː/ vowel quality. Audio reference can be checked on Forvo or Cambridge Dictionary.”,
Common errors: (1) stressing the first syllable (the-), which shifts meaning and rhythm; (2) mispronouncing the /θ/ as /f/ or /s/, or substituting a long vowel in the second syllable; (3) pronouncing the second syllable as /ˈsiː-sɔːrəs/ or muddling the order of syllables. Correction tips: practice the sequence th-uh-SAWR-us with primary stress on SAW; ensure the /θ/ remains voiceless dental fricative cluster; keep /ɔː/ long; use minimal pairs to fix the vowel and stress alignment. Repeat in slow tempo then speed up.”,
US/UK/AU share the same core rhythm: two consonant leading /θ/ then a short /ɪ/ in the first syllable, with primary stress on the second syllable /ˈsɔːr/. Differences lie mainly in vowel quality: US often has rhotacized 'r' after /ɔː/, UK is non-rhotic with a slightly tighter /ɔː/; AU tends toward a broad /ɔː/ with more vowel length. Overall, the main stress pattern and consonants stay consistent, but you’ll notice subtle vowel length and quality shifts, plus a marginally less pronounced rhotic in UK.”,
The difficulty stems from the sequence th + short i, followed by a stressed long /ɔː/ vowel in the second syllable and the trailing /rəs/ cluster. English speakers often mis-locate stress or soften the /ɔː/ into /ɒ/ or /ə/, and some native speakers replace /θ/ with /t/ or /f/. Practicing the exact sequence th-ɪ-sɔː-rəs, with primary stress on the second syllable and careful articulation of /θ/ and /ɔː/ is the key.”,
No silent letters in Thesaurus; all letters are pronounced: th (voiced dental fricative /θ/), e as schwa in the first syllable, s as /s/, a as /ɔː/ in some accents, and r as rhotic in rhotic accents. The challenge is sequencing a multi-syllable word with primary stress on the middle syllable and maintaining crisp /θ/ and /ɔː/ sounds. Visualize the mouth positions: tip of tongue near upper teeth for /θ/, lower lip lightly touching upper teeth for /f/ substitute avoidance, jaw opens for the /ɔː/ vowel.”]},
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Thesaurus comes from the Greek thēsauros, meaning a storehouse, treasure, or repository. The term thēsauros itself derives from the verb theasthai, meaning to put away or to store. In ancient Greek, thēsauros referred to a storehouse or treasure, a repository for valuable items. The word entered English via Latinized forms in the 17th century, originally describing a treasury of knowledge or a storehouse of terms. The modern meaning—an index of synonyms and related words—emerged as writers sought tools to diversify vocabulary. The first use in English literature to denote a collection of words with related meanings appeared in the early 1600s, though dictionaries and glossaries with similar goals had existed. By the 19th century, “thesaurus” was firmly established as a reference work for semantic relationships, distinguishing itself from dictionaries by focusing on lexical similarity rather than definitions alone. Today, many thesauri are specialized (e.g., general, medical, or bilingual) and exist in print and digital formats, sometimes integrating thesauri with thesauruses in lexical databases and word-processing tools. In short, the term embodies a storehouse of words that helps writers explore synonyms, nuances, and stylistic variety across contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Thesaurus" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Thesaurus" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Thesaurus" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Thesaurus"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
