2 syllables: tu, mour. Stress on tu.
TOO-muhr
/ˈtuːmər/
tumour is pronounced TOO-muhr (/ˈtuːmər/). It has two syllables (tu-mour), with the stress on "tu". Tumour refers to a mass of tissue formed by abnormal growth of cells, which can be benign or malignant. In medical contexts it denotes a swelling or lump caused by such growth, often requiring assessment to determine its nature. The term is used in anatomy and oncology, across British English and other varieties with shared scientific vocabulary.
Tumour refers to a mass of tissue formed by abnormal growth of cells, which can be benign or malignant. In medical contexts it denotes a swelling or lump caused by such growth, often requiring assessment to determine its nature. The term is used in anatomy and oncology, across British English and other varieties with shared scientific vocabulary.
"The doctor removed the tumour and sent it to pathology for analysis."
"She has a benign brain tumour that is being monitored."
"Researchers are studying how tumours develop resistance to therapy."
Pronounce as two syllables: /ˈtuː.mə/ in British English; US pronunciation is /ˈtuː.mɚ/. The first syllable bears primary stress, with a long 'oo' as in 'tool', and the second syllable a schwa or a reduced 'er' depending on accent. Tip: keep the tongue high for the /uː/ and finish with a relaxed, unstressed /mə/ or /mɚ/. Audio resources: youglish or forvo can confirm native samples.
Common errors: 1) Reducing the first syllable too much, producing /ˈtʌ.mə/; 2) Deleting the second syllable or making it a clear /mɔː/; 3) Not aligning the rhotic ending in US /ˈtuː.mɚ/. Correction: ensure a full /uː/ in the first syllable and a relaxed, unstressed second syllable, ending with a neutral /ə/ or rhotic /ɚ/ in US. Practice by slowing the transition between syllables and keeping the mouth rounded for the /uː/.
US: /ˈtuː.mɚ/, rhotacized final syllable with /ɚ/. UK: /ˈtjuː.mə/, with a closer onset and non-rhoticity; the second syllable uses a clear schwa /ə/. Australian: typically /ˈtjuː.mə/ or /ˈtuː.mə/ with slight vowel width differences but similar rhythm to UK. Key contrasts: rhoticity in US; onset quality in UK/AU; subtle vowel length and lip rounding. Listening to native samples helps internalize the shift.
Radi cally, the difficulty lies in the vowel length of /uː/ and the transition to a weak second syllable /mə/ or /mɚ/. Some speakers shorten the first vowel, merging /uː/ with /juː/ or /u/ and struggle with the unstressed second syllable. Additionally, US speakers may add a rhotic /ɚ/ at the end, which affects timing. Focus on sustaining /uː/ briefly before letting the second syllable relax.
A key feature is the distinct long 'oo' sound in the first syllable, followed by a reduced, lightly articulated second syllable. In British English the onset may resemble a /t/ plus a near-close back vowel /uː/ with slight /j/ glide in some speakers, producing /ˈtjuː.mə/. The combination of a long vowel and a weak second syllable is what often challenges learners.
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The word tumour comes from the Old French tumeur, which itself derives from the Latin tumor, meaning swelling or lump. Latin tumor was used in medical writers to describe any swelling, lump, or protrusion, often without implying malignancy. The root is linked to the verb tumere, meaning to swell, fromProto-Indo-European root *t wet- implying to swell. In Middle English and early modern medical texts, tumour carried both literal swelling and a figurative sense of swelling as a growth. The spelling with -our reflects the French influence on English medical vocabulary from the Norman period, and corresponds to British English convention. In American English, tumour is typically spelled tumor, dropping the 'u' after the 'o' to align with simplifications in medical and scientific terminology. The term became common in anatomy and pathology by the 17th to 19th centuries, with first known written uses appearing in Latin and French clinical writings before entering English medical literature. In modern usage, tumour consistently denotes a localized swelling of tissue due to abnormal cell proliferation, regardless of its benign or malignant nature, and is distinguished from other lesions by the context of pathology and oncology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "tumour" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "tumour" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "tumour"
-our sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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