Proper Pronunciation Guide
obnoxious
[ɑb̚ 
nɑk̚ ʃəs]
Tips:
- Pronounce the initial letter “o” as /ɑ/—like the vowel in the word “stop.”
- Stop-but-do-not-explode the letter “b”—/b̚ /—at the end of the first syllable and release the air on the following consonant /n/, which begins the second syllable.
- Pronounce the second syllable like the work “knock” and stress it.
- Pronounce the letters “xi” as a combination of a stopped “k”—/k̚/—followed by /ʃ/.
- Pronounce the letters “ou” in the final syllable as the weak schwa vowel /ə/.
Practice Sentence:
| Don't be so obnoxious! |
Definition:
(adjective) Highly rude or offensive. (The Latin root of this word is related to “noxious,” which means poisonous or very harmful, such as escaping gas fumes might be.)
Notes:
- While the letter “x” is usually pronounced /ks/ when it is not before a stressed vowel (box, mixture), here it is pronounced /kʃ/, because it is followed by an unpronounced “i.”
- Remember that any word ending in “-ous”— which is pronounced [əs]— is an adjective.