WEEK-nuh-suhz
/ˈwiknəsəz/
weaknesses is pronounced WEEK-nuh-suhz (/ˈwiknəsəz/). Weaknesses are elements or areas where someone or something lacks strength or effectiveness. They represent limitations that can hinder performance, achievement, or resilience, and recognizing them is essential for targeted improvement and risk management. Understanding weaknesses supports strategic planning, growth, and personal or organizational development.
Weaknesses are elements or areas where someone or something lacks strength or effectiveness. They represent limitations that can hinder performance, achievement, or resilience, and recognizing them is essential for targeted improvement and risk management. Understanding weaknesses supports strategic planning, growth, and personal or organizational development.
- Misplacing stress on the second syllable: remind yourself that the primary stress is on WEAK, then quickly connect to -ness-es. - Overpronouncing the second syllable or inserting extra vowels: practice with fast tempo to keep /nəs/ as a quick, unstressed unit. - Conflating -ness- and -es- into a single syllable: drill the middle as /n/ + schwa /ə/ before the final /z/ or /s/.
"Her weaknesses include a tendency to overthink during presentations."
"The team's weaknesses were exposed in the late-game moment, prompting a strategic shift."
"She asked the coach to identify her weaknesses to tailor practice drills."
Pronounce as /ˈwiːk.nəs/ in Standard American, General British, and Australian English. Stress falls on the first syllable: WEAK-ness-es. The first part sounds like ‘week’ without a long drawn-out vowel tension on the second consonant, followed by a soft ‘nəs’ with a quick, schwa-like middle and a light final s. Practice linking the -ness- and -es endings to avoid isolating syllables.
Common errors include misplacing stress (trying WEAK-nesses too evenly), mispronouncing the second syllable as ‘week-kness’ with a prolonged /k/, and adding a separate vowel before the final -es (e.g., ‘weak-ness-iz’). Correct by keeping the second syllable as a quick schwa or /ə/ and reducing the /ɪ/ or /ɛ/ in the final. Ensure the final -es is an unstressed /ən/ or /əs/ depending on dialect.
In US and AU, the first syllable has a clear /iː/ or /iː/ sound, with rhotic r influence minimal in /ˈwiːk.nəs/. UK tends to a crisper /ˈwiːk.nəs/ with non-rhotic linking in connected speech, and less vowel coloring before /n/. Vowel duration can vary; Australians may reduce the second syllable slightly more, but the overall WEAK-ness-es pattern remains. IPA remains /ˈwiːk.nəs/ across.
The challenge lies in transitioning from the long stressed first syllable /ˈwiːk/ to the quick, unstressed /nəs/ cluster without adding unwanted vowels. The /k/ closing consonant followed by /n/ requires careful timing to avoid a delayed onset of the nasal. Secondary stress or length variation can creep in if you’re not practicing connective speech. Focus on a clean, clipped -ness- then rapid -es to maintain fluency.
Does the word ‘weaknesses’ ever reduce to ‘weakneses’ in rapid speech? Generally, no—standard pronunciation remains /ˈwiːk.nəs/. In very casual, fast speech some speakers might elide the middle syllable slightly, but you should avoid omitting /n/ or merging it with /ə/ to preserve intelligibility, especially in formal contexts or listening tests.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "weaknesses"!
- US: Non-rhotic tendencies are minimal; stress on first syllable; keep /wiːk/ crisp, end with a short /nəs/ and a light /z/ or /s/ depending on word following. - UK: Similar to US; ensure non-rhoticity in connected speech; avoid doubling the vowel—keep /wiːk/ clear, then /nəs/ quickly. - AU: Slightly flatter vowels; maintain /ˈwiːk.nəs/ with less vowel reduction in casual speech; keep the second syllable short and unstressed. - IPA reference: US /ˈwiːk.nəs/, UK /ˈwiːk.nəs/, AU /ˈwiːk.nəs/. - Practical tip: exaggerate first syllable slightly in practice to anchor the rhythm, then shrink the following syllables.
Weaknesses derives from the adjective weak, itself from Old English wæc, related to Danish svakhed and Dutch zwakte, all rooted in Proto-Germanic waki- meaning ‘warrior’ or ‘sickly,’ evolving through Middle English as ‘weaknesse’ and later ‘weaknesses’ to denote the state of being weak. In the broader semantic arc, the noun form often pairs with adjectives indicating particular domains of deficiency (economic, physical, moral, cognitive). The concept of vulnerability or lack of strength shifts across time with social and technological changes, but the core meaning—absence or deficiency of strength—remains. First attested in written English by the 14th century, weakness has long served to describe physical frailty, moral frailty, or functional shortcomings. Over centuries, expressions like “weakness,” “weaknesses,” and “weak points” became common in both everyday speech and strategic discourse, expanding to include abstract domains like organizational weaknesses or tactical vulnerabilities. The plural form weaknesses appears in professional and academic contexts to indicate multiple areas of deficiency rather than a singular flaw, reflecting a holistic view of risk and improvement.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "weaknesses" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "weaknesses" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "weaknesses" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "weaknesses"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
