2 syllables: The, sis. Stress on The.
THEE-suhs
/ˈθisəs/
Thesis is pronounced THEE-suhs (/ˈθisəs/). It has two syllables (The-sis), with the stress on "The". As a noun, a proposition or theory that is put forward as a premise to be proven through investigation or argument, typically forming the central argument of a scholarly work. In broader use, it can refer to any asserted idea presented for consideration. It is commonly used in academic contexts to frame research and analysis statements.
nounA proposition or theory that is put forward as a premise to be proven through investigation or argument, typically forming the central argument of a scholarly work. In broader use, it can refer to any asserted idea presented for consideration. It is commonly used in academic contexts to frame research and analysis statements.
How to Pronounce Thesis
"Her thesis argued that urban green spaces improve mental health."
"The committee approved his thesis on renewable energy policy."
"She defended her thesis after two years of research."
Pronounced /ˈθiːsɪs/ in US, UK, and AU; two syllables with primary stress on the first syllable: THEE-sis. Start with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ (like 'think'), then the long 'ee' vowel /iː/ as in 'see', followed by /s/ and the schwa or a light /ɪ/ before final /s/. You’ll want a crisp /s/ at the end without voicing. Audio references: consult Cambridge or Oxford audio entries as you practice.
Two common errors: (1) Treating the first vowel as a short /ɪ/ as in 'thin' instead of the long /iː/. (2) Slurring or dropping the final /s/ so the word ends like a vowel: avoid ending with a soft sound. Correction: hold a clear /iː/ for the first vowel, ensure the final /s/ is unvoiced and crisp. Practice with minimal pairs like 'these' vs 'thesis' and mirror your mouth position in a recording.
Across US/UK/AU, the pronunciation remains /ˈθiː.sɪs/ with minor vowel length variations. In some US varieties, the first vowel may be slightly shorter, approaching /ˈθiːsɪs/ vs /ˈθiːsɪs/ in others. Non-rhotic UK varieties do not alter the /θ/ or /iː/ significantly, but accent influences vowel quality and consonant clarity. Australian English maintains /ˈθiːsɪs/ with a typical non-rhotic rhythm and clear /s/ endings; you’ll hear subtle vowel height changes in fast speech.
The initial /θ/ sound is a voiceless dental fricative formed between the tongue and teeth, which many learners substitute with /t/ or /s/. The long /iː/ can be tense and spread, making it feel like /ti/ rather than a clean /iː/. The final /s/ requires precise voiceless sibilance; adding voice inadvertently turns it into /z/ or a blend. Master the tongue placement for /θ/ and maintain steady mouth opening to keep both vowels distinct.
There are no silent letters in 'thesis'; each letter actively contributes to the /θ iː s ɪ s/ sequence. The difficulty lies in the dental fricative /θ/ and the long /iː/ followed by a quick /s/; mastering the timing between the first vowel and the final clusters is key. Practice with slow drilling: /θ/ (tip of tongue to upper teeth), /iː/, /s/, /ɪ/, /s/ to ensure clean segmentation.
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Thesis comes from the Greek word τίθημι (tithēmi) meaning 'to put, place, establish'. The term passed into Latin as theis, then into Medieval Latin as thesys or thesis, eventually entering English in the 16th century with mathematical and philosophical senses related to a proposition to be proven. In classical and mid-20th-century usage, ‘thesis’ often referred to a central argument in a discourse or a scholarly treatise. The plural form is 'theses' (Latin-era plural). The modern academic sense—an extended research paper defending a hypothesis or central argument for a degree—emerged as universities expanded critical, evidence-based inquiry. The word retains its core sense of a statement set forth to be demonstrated, though contemporary usage frequently differentiates between a master’s thesis and a doctoral dissertation in scope and depth.
💡 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 "Thesis" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Thesis" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Thesis"
-sis sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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