How to pronounce mononucleosis
Say it like mon-oh-noo-klee-OH-sis. Mononucleosis has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mononucleosis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mon
- oh
- noo
- klee
- OH
- sis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mononucleosis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- monGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- nooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- kleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- sisKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of mononucleosis
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: mon-oh-nyoo-klee-OH-sis.
What does mononucleosis mean?
- A viral infection marked by extreme fatigue, high fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Where does mononucleosis come from?
From mono- + nucleus + -osis.
Words that rhyme with mononucleosis
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mononucleosis.
- tuberculosis
- apoptosis
- osteoporosis
- necrosis
- thrombosis
- stenosis
- osmosis
- atherosclerosis
- endometriosis
- symbiosis
Questions about saying mononucleosis
How do you pronounce mononucleosis?
Say mon-oh-noo-klee-OH-sis. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɑnoʊnukliˈoʊsɪs/. In British English it is /ˌmɒnəʊnjuːkliˈəʊsɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (OH). Broken into parts: mon · oh · noo · klee · OH · sis.
Is mononucleosis pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌmɒnəʊnjuːkliˈəʊsɪs/ (mon-oh-nyoo-klee-OH-sis).