Proper Pronunciation Guide
abyss
[ə 
bɪs]
Tips:
- Pronounce the initial letter “a” as the weak schwa vowel /ə/
- Pronounce the letter “y” as the short vowel /ɪ/ —like the vowel in the word “sit”—and stress it.
Practice Sentences:
| The hiker fell into an abyss. | |
| The clarinetist played Olivier Messaien's "Abyss of the Birds." |
Definition:
(noun) A deep, empty cavern or hole full of nothingness.
Notes:
Do not confuse this word with abbess [æ bəs] which has the stress on the first syllable and is a woman—also known as a Mother Superior—who is in charge of a group of nuns living in a convent.