How to pronounce smallpox
Say it like SMAWL-pahks. Smallpox has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAWL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce smallpox. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SMAWL
- pahks
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Smallpox pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SMAWLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- pahksGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of smallpox
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SMAWL-poks.
What does smallpox mean?
- An acute, highly infectious often fatal disease caused by Variola virus of the family Poxviridae. It was completely eradicated in the 1970s, but still exists in laboratories. Those who survived were left with pockmarks.“The Europeans brought new diseases such as smallpox, measles, dysentery, influenza, syphilis and leprosy.”
Where does smallpox come from?
From small + pox, in contrast to greatpox (“syphilis”).
Questions about saying smallpox
How do you pronounce smallpox?
Say SMAWL-pahks. The American pronunciation is /ˈsmɔlˌpɑks/. In British English it is /ˈsmɔːlpɒks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in smallpox?
Smallpox has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SMAWL). Broken into parts: SMAWL · pahks.
Is smallpox 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 /ˈsmɔːlpɒks/ (SMAWL-poks).