How to pronounce abstruse
Say it like ub-STROOS. Abstruse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STROOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abstruse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ub
- STROOS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abstruse pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STROOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of abstruse
American and British speakers say abstruse in essentially the same way: /əbˈstrus/ in the US and /əbˈstruːs/ in the UK.
British respelling: ub-STROOS.
What does abstruse mean?
- Difficult to comprehend or understand; obscure.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with abstruse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abstruse.
Questions about saying abstruse
How do you pronounce abstruse?
Say ub-STROOS. The American pronunciation is /əbˈstrus/. In British English it is /əbˈstruːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abstruse?
Abstruse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STROOS). Broken into parts: ub · STROOS.
Do Americans and Brits say abstruse the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əbˈstrus/ and the British form is /əbˈstruːs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.