How to pronounce caduceus
Say it like kuh-DOO-see-us. Caduceus has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce caduceus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- DOO
- see
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Caduceus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of caduceus
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: kuh-DYOO-see-us.
What does caduceus mean?
- The official wand carried by a herald in ancient Greece and Rome, specifically the one carried in mythology by Hermes, the messenger of the gods, usually represented with two snakes twined around it.
- A symbol (☤) representing a staff with two snakes wrapped around it, used to indicate merchants and messengers. It is also sometimes incorrectly substituted for the rod of Asclepius as a symbol of medicine.
Questions about saying caduceus
How do you pronounce caduceus?
Say kuh-DOO-see-us. The American pronunciation is /kəˈdusiəs/. In British English it is /kəˈdjuːsiəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in caduceus?
Caduceus has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DOO). Broken into parts: kuh · DOO · see · us.
Is caduceus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /kəˈdjuːsiəs/ (kuh-DYOO-see-us).