How to pronounce callous
Say it like KAL-us. Callous has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce callous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAL
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Callous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of callous
American and British speakers say callous in essentially the same way: /ˈkæləs/ in the US and /ˈkæləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAL-us.
What does callous mean?
- Emotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others.“She was so callous that she could criticize a cancer patient for wearing a wig.”
- Having calluses, or relating to calluses.
- Alternative form of callus.
- Alternative form of callus.
Where does callous come from?
From Latin callōsus (“hard-skinned”), from callum (“hardened skin”) + -ōsus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with callous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of callous.
Words that sound like callous
Questions about saying callous
How do you pronounce callous?
Say KAL-us. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæləs/. In British English it is /ˈkæləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in callous?
Callous has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL). Broken into parts: KAL · us.
Do Americans and Brits say callous the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkæləs/ and the British form is /ˈkæləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as callous?
Callous sounds the same as callus in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.