How to pronounce heterozygous
Say it like het-uh-ruh-ZY-gus. Heterozygous has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (ZY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heterozygous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- het
- uh
- ruh
- ZY
- gus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heterozygous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hetGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- gusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of heterozygous
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: het-uh-ruh-ZY-gus.
What does heterozygous mean?
- Of an organism: having two different alleles in a given gene.
Where does heterozygous come from?
From hetero- + -zygous.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with heterozygous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of heterozygous.
Questions about saying heterozygous
How do you pronounce heterozygous?
Say het-uh-ruh-ZY-gus. The American pronunciation is /ˌhɛtərəˈzaɪɡəs/. In British English it is /ˌhɛtərəˈzaɪɡəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heterozygous?
Heterozygous has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (ZY). Broken into parts: het · uh · ruh · ZY · gus.
Is heterozygous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌhɛtərəˈzaɪɡəs/ (het-uh-ruh-ZY-gus).