VEE-zuhz
/ˈvizəz/
visas is pronounced VEE-zuhz (/ˈvizəz/). Visas is the plural of visa, meaning official documents that grant permission to enter or stay in a country. In everyday use, it refers to multiple entry permissions, often discussed in travel, immigration, or government contexts. The term is common in formal and semi-formal discourse, especially in discussions of international travel policies or visa application processes.
Visas is the plural of visa, meaning official documents that grant permission to enter or stay in a country. In everyday use, it refers to multiple entry permissions, often discussed in travel, immigration, or government contexts. The term is common in formal and semi-formal discourse, especially in discussions of international travel policies or visa application processes.
"I need two visas for my business trip—one for the United States and one for Canada."
"The embassy issued multiple visas to the family after their interview."
"She checked the visa requirements for several countries before planning the tour."
US/UK/AU pronunciation is /ˈviː.zəz/ with primary stress on the first syllable. Start with a long 'ee' vowel in the first syllable, then a voiced consonant cluster /z/, followed by a reduced, unstressed second syllable /əz/. Your mouth: lips slightly spread, tongue high and front for /iː/, then relaxed for /z/, finishing with a syllabic or schwa-like /əz/. Listen to native samples and match the rhythm: VEEs-əz.
The two most frequent errors are misplacing the stress (pronouncing as /ˈvaɪ.səz/ or /ˈviː.zæs/) and mispronouncing the second syllable as /eɪz/ or a clear /zəz/ instead of the reduced /əz/. To fix, practice keeping the second syllable lax: /ˈviː.zəz/ and ensure the /z/ in the middle is a clear but brief alveolar fricative before a light, unstressed /əz/ ending.
In US/UK/AU, the first syllable has a long /iː/; the second syllable reduces to /əz/ in all three, but rhoticity can subtly affect vowel coloring. US speakers may have a slightly darker /ɪ/ quality in the first vowel depending on speaker, UK tends toward a crisper /iː/ and reduced final syllable; Australian pronunciation often favors a more centralized second syllable and a highly relaxed final /əz/. Overall, the rhyme remains /ˈviː.zəz/ with minor vowel quality variation.
The difficulty lies in the rapid, unstressed second syllable and the subtle schwa-like ending /əz/. English vowel reduction makes /əz/ sound like a relaxed 'uh z' cluster, which can be easy to over-pronounce as /əz/ or /əz/ with extra voicing. A precise tongue position for /iː/ and clean alveolar /z/ transition to the weak finale is essential. Practicing with minimal pairs and slowed pronunciation helps you maintain correct rhythm.
Yes—focus on the initial long /iː/ and the rapid, reduced second syllable. Keep the mouth more closed for /iː/ than for a short /i/, then release a crisp /z/ into a light, unstressed /əz/. A tip: say 'VEE-zuhs' with the second syllable almost inaudible and relaxed, not a full /zəz/ syllable. This mirrors natural speech and ensures clarity in fast conversations.
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The word visa originates from the Latin plur. visa ‘document or inscription that has been seen,’ from the verb videre ‘to see.’ Historically, the term entered English via French as visa and then pluralized to visas in modern usage. The concept arose in medieval and early modern travel when authorities required travelers to obtain official endorsements to pass borders. In many languages, the word for a passport stamp or entry permit similarly derives from the idea of something seen or approved by a gatekeeper. The modern sense—an official document permitting entry for a specific period—became standardized in the 19th and 20th centuries with the expansion of international travel and the establishment of modern border regimes. The plural form visas reflects the English pluralization pattern after adopting the singular visa, indicating multiple documents or approvals. First known uses in English are in 19th-century administrative contexts, aligned with the growth of international travel and colonial administration. As global mobility increased, visas evolved from simple endorsements to complex, bilateral agreements requiring formal applications, fees, and policy-specific criteria. The term now covers tourism, work, study, and residency permissions and is widely used across governmental, corporate, and media discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "visas" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "visas" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "visas"
-zas sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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