One syllable: Truss.
truhs
/tɹʌs/
Truss is pronounced truhs (/tɹʌs/). It has one syllable (Truss), with the stress on "Truss". Truss (noun) refers to a framework, typically made of beams, used to support roofs, bridges, or other structures. It can also mean to tie up or bind something securely. In specialized contexts, a truss distributes load through triangular units, providing strength and stability. The term dates from engineering and construction vernacular and remains a common technical word in architecture and civil engineering.
nounTruss (noun) refers to a framework, typically made of beams, used to support roofs, bridges, or other structures. It can also mean to tie up or bind something securely. In specialized contexts, a truss distributes load through triangular units, providing strength and stability. The term dates from engineering and construction vernacular and remains a common technical word in architecture and civil engineering.
"The new roof design uses a steel truss to resist wind loads."
"Workers installed a wooden truss system to support the attic framing."
"Engineers analyzed the truss for potential fatigue under repetitive loading."
Pronounce it as one syllable: /trʌs/. Start with a light /t/ release, then the /r/ is rhotic, followed by the lax vowel /ʌ/ as in 'strut,' and finish with a clear /s/. Make sure the tongue stays low for /ʌ/ and avoid turning it into /uː/ or /ɜː/. IPA: /trʌs/. Audio reference: you can check Cambridge or Forvo for native speaker samples.
Common errors: 1) Turning /tr/ into a hard blend with excessive tongue tension, making it sound like /t͡ɹr/; 2) Using a rounded or tense /ʊ/ or /uː/ instead of /ʌ/; 3) Adding an extra vowel or prolonging the syllable, like /tɹʌ-əs/ or /trʌsɚ/. Correction: keep /t/ crisp, release immediately into /r/, relax the jaw for /ʌ/, finish promptly with /s/. Use a quick, single syllable flow: /trʌs/.
US/UK/AU share /trʌs/, but rhoticity affects preceding vowels in connected speech; in rapid speech, US speakers may reduce to a shorter vowel in informal contexts, while UK speakers maintain the /ʌ/ but with slightly sharper /t/ release. Australian English tends to be less rhotic in some contexts, but /trʌs/ remains consistent; the main variance is consonant lightness and vowel quality due to accent-specific vowel space. IPA remains /trʌs/ for all three in careful pronunciation.
The difficulty lies in the consonant cluster /tr/ at the start and the short, lax /ʌ/ vowel; beginners often mispronounce /tr/ as two separate segments or insert an extra vowel, producing /tɹɒs/ or /truːs/. Keep the /t/ release tight, move quickly into /r/, and maintain a relaxed jaw for the /ʌ/ vowel before the final /s/. This ensures a clean, compact monosyllable.
Is the 'u' in 'truss' pronounced as a short 'uh' or a long 'oo' in certain dialects?
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Truss comes from the Old French trusse, from truser meaning to bind or tighten, and from Latin trahere meaning to drag. The term entered English in the 14th century in the sense of a bundle tied together, a fastening, or a masonry support. By the 15th century, truss had specialized in construction, referring to a framework of triangles connected by joints to distribute loads. The geometric principle of using interconnected members to resist bending and shear—triangular trusses—emerged in bridge and roof design in the 18th and 19th centuries, driving standardization of shapes like king post, queen post, and Pratt trusses. In modern engineering, steel or wood trusses are engineered to exact specifications, balancing material strength, weight, and load distribution. First known use appears in Middle English records relating to bundles and bindings, with architectural usage becoming commonplace in early modern construction texts. The word evolved from a general “to bind” sense to a precise structural term, while maintaining its broader sense of a tied or bound configuration in non-engineering contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Truss" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Truss" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Truss" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Truss"
-uss sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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