TUR-tuhlz
/ˈtɝtəlz/
turtles is pronounced TUR-tuhlz (/ˈtɝtəlz/). Turtles is a plural noun referring to reptiles of the order Testudines, especially those with a protective shell. Commonly used for both sea and land species, it denotes animals that carry their bodies in a shield-like carapace. In everyday speech, the word appears in zoology, pet care, and nature contexts, often with a neutral or informative tone.
Turtles is a plural noun referring to reptiles of the order Testudines, especially those with a protective shell. Commonly used for both sea and land species, it denotes animals that carry their bodies in a shield-like carapace. In everyday speech, the word appears in zoology, pet care, and nature contexts, often with a neutral or informative tone.
"The turtles basked on the sunny pond bank."
"Researchers tagged several turtles to study their migration paths."
"We bought turtle-friendly plants to create a safe habitat for the turtles."
Pronounce it as /ˈtɜː.təlz/ in UK/US, with primary stress on the first syllable. Start with an open back rounded vowel in the first syllable, then a schwa-like or mid-central vowel in the second, and end with a voiced /z/. In Australian English the /ɜː/ tends toward /əː/ with slight rhoticity variation. Listen to native models to capture the subtle r-coloring if present.
Common errors include pronouncing the first syllable as a short /ɪ/ or /ʌ/ instead of the tense /ɜː/ or /ɜːr/; eliding the middle vowel to a quick /əl/ or misplacing the /l/ in the second syllable. Another frequent mistake is a voiceless final /s/ instead of a voiced /z/. To correct: keep a clear /ɜː/ in the first syllable, ensure the middle vowel is a relaxed /ə/ or /əl/, and finish with /z/ by voicing the end of the word with a light, continuous airflow.
In General American, you get /ˈtɝː.təlz/ with rhotacized /ɝː/. In UK English, /ˈtɜː.təlz/ may lack rhoticity on non-rhotic varieties, and the /ɜː/ vowel is longer and more tense. Australian tends to a closer /ˈtɜː.təlz/ with a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable and a slightly less pronounced /r/ influence. Pay attention to vowel length and rhoticity differences; your mouth position remains fairly relaxed in the second syllable, while the first syllable retains a central vowel quality.
The difficulty lies in the sequence /tɜːr/ or /tɜːr/ blending into /təlz/, where the /r/ coloring, vowel quality, and the transition to a voiced final /z/ must be smooth. Also, many learners mispronounce the middle vowel as a reduced /ə/ without proper placement of the /l/ in the syllable break, creating an unclear syllable boundary. Practice streaming the word slowly to stabilize the articulation and then increase pace.
The unique feature is linking the /l/ with the following /z/ in rapid speech, which can cause a subtle yod-like or tongue-tipping transition. Also, air release through /t/ followed by a carefully voiced /z/ requires clean voicing and a steady breath rather than abrupt stop. Focus on a clear, voiced end and avoid turning /t/ into a flap in American casual speech.
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The word turtles traces to Old French tortue or Italian tartaruga, ultimately from Latin testūdō meaning ‘shell’ or ‘tortoise.’ In Early Modern English, turtle was used for both the reptiles and, less commonly, for a dish made from turtle meat. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the plural turtles became established in zoological writing and popular usage. The word’s semantic shift aligns with the family Testudines, whose defining feature is the protective shell; this shell-centric identity influenced the modern term turtle to emphasize the animal’s shell-bearing biology. First known use of the plural in English appears in scientific and natural history texts from the late 1500s onward, reflecting a period of expanding taxonomy and natural history literacy.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "turtles" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "turtles" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "turtles"
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