How to Pronounce Dextromethorphan
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Dextromethorphan Pronunciation
dex-troh-meh-THOR-fan
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
dex
troh
meh
THOR
stress here
fan
5 syllables
What is Dextromethorphan?
Dextromethorphan is used to temporarily relieve cough caused by the common cold, the flu, or other conditions. Dextromethorphan will relieve a cough but will not treat the cause of the cough or speed recovery. Dextromethorphan is in a class of medications called antitussives. It works by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.
Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Questions About Dextromethorphan
How do you pronounce dextromethorphan?
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Dextromethorphan is pronounced dex-troh-meh-THOR-fan, with four syllables. The stress falls on the third syllable, THOR, which you say a bit louder and longer than the others.
What is the stressed syllable in dextromethorphan?
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The stressed syllable is THOR (the third one). A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (DEX) instead, but the correct way is to emphasize THOR when you say the word out loud.
How do you break dextromethorphan into syllables?
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Dextromethorphan breaks into four syllables: dex-troh-meh-THOR-fan. Say each part separately at first, then blend them together smoothly.
What is a common mispronunciation of dextromethorphan?
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Many people say DEX-troh-meth-or-fan (stressing the first syllable) or dex-troh-meth-OR-fan (stressing the second to last syllable). The correct way stresses the third syllable: dex-troh-meh-THOR-fan.
Does dextromethorphan have a short form or abbreviation?
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Yes, dextromethorphan is often abbreviated as DXM or DM. You can say the letters out loud (D-X-M) or D-M, and you'll hear both used in medical settings.
Can you use dextromethorphan in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The pharmacist explained that this over-the-counter cough medicine contains dextromethorphan as its active ingredient." This shows how the word is used when talking about medications.
Is dextromethorphan hard to pronounce?
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It looks harder than it is! Breaking it into four chunks (dex-troh-meh-THOR-fan) and remembering to stress THOR makes it much easier. With a little practice, it becomes natural to say.