How to Pronounce Relapse
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Relapse Pronunciation
REE-laps
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
REE
stress here
laps
2 syllables
What is Relapse?
The return of a blood cancer after a period of complete or partial remission, detected by the reappearance of cancer cells in the blood or bone marrow, worsening blood counts, or return of symptoms. Relapsed disease is generally harder to treat than newly diagnosed disease.
Questions About Relapse
How do you pronounce 'relapse'?
+
Relapse is pronounced REE-laps. Say it like you're saying the word "ree" (rhymes with "free") and then add "laps" (rhymes with "maps"). The stress falls on the first syllable, so REE-laps is the correct way to emphasize it.
What is the stressed syllable in 'relapse'?
+
The first syllable is stressed: REE-laps. A common mistake is putting the stress on the second syllable (re-LAPSE), but the correct pronunciation emphasizes the first part—REE.
How do you break 'relapse' into syllables?
+
Relapse has two syllables: re-lapse. The first syllable is 're' and the second is 'lapse.' When you say it, the emphasis lands on that first 're' part.
What does 'relapse' mean in plain English?
+
Relapse means to go backward or return to something after you've moved away from it. In a medical context, it describes when a disease comes back after the patient had gotten better for a while.
Where does the word 'relapse' come from?
+
Relapse comes from Latin roots: 're-' means 'back' and 'laps' comes from 'labi,' which means 'to slip or fall.' So the word literally means 'to slip back' or 'to fall back,' which fits its meaning perfectly.
What other medical words share the same root as 'relapse'?
+
Words like 'lapse' and 'collapse' share similar Latin roots. A 'lapse' is a temporary slip or break, and 'collapse' means to fall down completely. All these words connect to the idea of slipping or falling.
Can you use 'relapse' in a sentence?
+
Sure! Here's an example: "The doctor explained that a relapse could happen if the cancer cells reappeared in the patient's blood work." The word describes the return of something unwanted after a period of improvement.
What is a common mispronunciation of 'relapse'?
+
Many people accidentally say re-LAPSE (stressing the second syllable), but the correct pronunciation is REE-laps, with the stress on the first syllable. Listen carefully to the emphasis on that first 'ree' sound.