How to Pronounce Clitoris
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Clitoris Pronunciation
KLIT-oh-ris
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
KLIT
stress here
oh
ris
3 syllables
What is Clitoris?
A sensitive erectile organ at the top of the vulva that is the primary site of female sexual pleasure; most of its structure is internal, extending beneath the labia.
Questions About Clitoris
How do you pronounce clitoris?
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Clitoris is pronounced KLIT-oh-ris. The stress falls on the first syllable, so you say it a bit louder and longer: KLIT (rhymes with "kit") then oh-ris. Think of it like "KLIT" + "oh" + "ris" all strung together.
What is the most common mispronunciation of clitoris?
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Many people stress the second syllable by accident and say kli-TOR-is, but that's incorrect. The correct stress is on the first syllable: KLIT-oh-ris. Remembering that the stress comes first helps you get it right.
How do you break clitoris into syllables?
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Clitoris breaks into three syllables: clit-o-ris. If you say each part slowly, it sounds like "KLIT" (first syllable) + "oh" (second syllable) + "ris" (third syllable).
Where does the word clitoris come from?
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Clitoris comes from ancient Greek and is related to the word "kleiein," which means "to shut" or "to close." The Greeks gave it this name because of the organ's hidden position under the skin.
What is a simple, everyday way to understand what clitoris means?
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In plain terms, the clitoris is a small, sensitive part of female anatomy located at the top of the vulva. Most of it is actually hidden inside the body, even though a small part is visible on the outside.
Are there other medical terms that use the same Greek root as clitoris?
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Yes, the word "enclitic" (a word attached to another word) shares the same Greek root "kleiein" meaning "to shut" or "to close." While these words have different meanings, they both trace back to that same ancient Greek origin.
How would you use the word clitoris correctly in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The clitoris is the most sensitive area of the external vulva." This sentence simply states a factual definition of the term in a straightforward way.