How to pronounce pertussis
Say it like per-TUHS-is. Pertussis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUHS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pertussis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- TUHS
- is
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pertussis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- TUHSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- isKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of pertussis
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-TUHS-is.
What does pertussis mean?
- Whooping cough.
Where does pertussis come from?
From New Latin, from Latin per- (“thorough”) + tussis (“cough”).
Questions about saying pertussis
How do you pronounce pertussis?
Say per-TUHS-is. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈtʌsɪs/. In British English it is /pəˈtʌsɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pertussis?
Pertussis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TUHS). Broken into parts: per · TUHS · is.
Is pertussis pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /pəˈtʌsɪs/ (puh-TUHS-is).