How to pronounce hocus
Say it like HOH-kus. Hocus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hocus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOH
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hocus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hocus
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOH-kus.
What does hocus mean?
- To play a trick on, to trick (someone); to hoax; to cheat.
- Trick; trickery.
Where does hocus come from?
Pseudo-Latinism, derived from ellipsis of hocus-pocus.
Words that rhyme with hocus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hocus.
Questions about saying hocus
How do you pronounce hocus?
Say HOH-kus. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊkəs/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊkəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hocus?
Hocus has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOH). Broken into parts: HOH · kus.
Is hocus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊkəs/ (HOH-kus).