One syllable: tors.
tawrz
/tɔːrz/
tors is pronounced tawrz (/tɔːrz/). It has one syllable (tors), with the stress on "tors". Tors is a plural noun or verb form whose pronunciation centers on a single-syllable cluster ending in an /z/ or /s/ sound, depending on spelling context. In most uses, it functions as a plural noun (e.g., 'tors' as short for torsional components) or as a verb ending in third-person singular or plural contexts. The term is often technical or niche, and its pronunciation emphasizes a clear начальный /t/ onset followed by a sibilant ending.
Tors is a plural noun or verb form whose pronunciation centers on a single-syllable cluster ending in an /z/ or /s/ sound, depending on spelling context. In most uses, it functions as a plural noun (e.g., 'tors' as short for torsional components) or as a verb ending in third-person singular or plural contexts. The term is often technical or niche, and its pronunciation emphasizes a clear начальный /t/ onset followed by a sibilant ending.
- You might flatten the vowel to /ɔ/ instead of the longer /ɔː/; practice by comparing with 'aw' words like 'saw' to feel the longer duration. - You may end with a voiceless /s/ instead of a voiced /z/; ensure your vocal folds engage for the final sound. - Some speakers drop the rhotic element; keep a subtle rhotic cue if your accent normally rhymes with 'law' but includes a hint of /ɹ/ before the final /z/.
"- The tors of the device are tightly secured to prevent motion."
"- In the mechanical drawing, several tors are listed under the assembly."
"- The engineer noted how the tors affected the overall torque."
/tɔːrz/ in US and UK practice, with a single syllable. Start with a clear /t/ release, follow with the open back vowel /ɔː/ (as in 'law' for many speakers), then a voiced alveolar 'r'-like quality and finish with /z/. In Australian English, expect a similar /ɔː/ quality, but with slightly less rhotic colouring after the vowel.”,
Common mistakes include misplacing the final sibilant as /s/ after a voiced vowel, producing /tɔrs/ instead of /tɔːrz/. Another error is truncating the vowel to a short /o/ sound (/tɔrz/). To correct: elongate the vowel to /ɔː/ and ensure the final /z/ is voiced, not a voiceless /s/. The result should feel like one smooth syllable with a voiced end: /tɔːrz/.
In US English, you typically hear /tɔrz/ with a hardened r-sound and a clear /z/. UK speakers may produce a longer /ɔː/ and a slightly softer r in non-rhotic varieties, but in many British accents the final /z/ remains voiced. Australian English tends to maintain /ɔː/ with a less pronounced rhoticity, but still ends with /z/. The key difference is vowel quality and rhotic influence.
The challenge lies in balancing a strong, voiced end consonant /z/ with the mid-back /ɔː/ vowel, especially for speakers used to more clipped vowels or non-rhotic accents. The transition from /t/ to /ɔː/ can feel awkward if the tongue sits too high or the jaw is too closed. Focus on sustaining the vowel length and ensuring the /z/ is fully voiced to avoid a hissy /s/ ending.
No silent letters in 'tors.' The pronunciation is one syllable with primary stress on the single syllable itself. The key is maintaining a steady onset /t/ and fully voiced ending /z/. Some speakers may under-voice the final /z/, producing a weaker sound; the fix is to push a small amount of air and vibrate the vocal folds for the /z/.
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- US: emphasize rhoticity, keep /ɔː/ quality, and a bright /z/. Use IPA: /tɔːrz/. - UK: many speakers bring a slightly longer /ɔː/ with a more centralized /ɹ/; ensure /z/ remains voiced. - AU: maintain /ɔː/ vowel length and a voiced /z/ with less pronounced rhotics; sometimes a softer onset.
The word tors derives from the plural suffix -s attached to tors, a root that traces through Middle English and Old French influences. While the term twists and coil-related concepts, its precise etymology is tied to technical lexicon, often used in engineering to denote multiple instances or components with torsion or twisting characteristics. The first known uses appear in technical manuals and scholarly texts of the late 19th to early 20th centuries, where 'tors' functioned as shorthand plural for torsion-related features or elements. Over time, the word aligned with domain-specific jargon, especially in mechanical engineering and physics, where researchers discuss torque, twisting forces, and rotational stiffness. The evolution reflects an abbreviation pattern common in technical English, where plural forms succinctly reference multiple components that share a property (torsion, twist). In modern usage, 'tors' often coexists with related terms like 'torques', 'torsion bars', or 'torsional components', depending on the engineering context. The term remains highly technical and relatively rare outside specialized literature, but its pronunciation and spelling are straightforward for proficient readers familiar with plural -s endings and the base word 'tor' as a root in technical compound terms.
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Help others use "tors" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "tors" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "tors" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "tors"
-rns sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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