How to Pronounce Larynx
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Larynx Pronunciation
LAIR-inks
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
LAIR
stress here
inks
2 syllables
What is Larynx?
The voice box; a cartilaginous structure in the throat that contains the vocal cords and connects the pharynx to the trachea, controlling airflow and sound production.
Questions About Larynx
How do you pronounce the word larynx?
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Larynx is pronounced LAIR-inks. The first syllable rhymes with "hair" or "care," and the second syllable sounds like "inks" as in the plural of ink. Say it like you're combining those two sounds together.
Which syllable is stressed when you say larynx?
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The first syllable—LAIR—gets the stress, so you emphasize it more than the second syllable. A common mistake is stressing the second syllable instead, which makes it sound like "lair-INKS," but that's not correct.
How do you break larynx into syllables?
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Larynx breaks into two syllables: lar-ynx. The first part is "lar" and the second part is "ynx." This makes it easier to pronounce if you say each part separately before putting them together.
What does larynx mean in everyday language?
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Larynx is the medical word for your voice box—the part of your throat you use to speak and sing. It's a small but important structure that sits in your neck and helps produce sound when air passes through it.
Where does the word larynx come from?
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Larynx comes from ancient Greek and originally meant "the upper part of the windpipe." The Greeks used this word to describe the structure we now call the voice box, and medical professionals still use the same word today.
What are related words that come from the same root as larynx?
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Words like laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) and laryngologist (a doctor who specializes in the throat and voice box) both share the same Greek root. Once you know how to say "larynx," these related words become easier to pronounce too.
What's a common mispronunciation of larynx?
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People often mispronounce it as "lair-NIKS" by stressing the wrong syllable or by saying the second part like "niks" instead of "inks." Remember: LAIR-inks, with the stress on the first syllable and a clear "inks" sound at the end.
Can you use larynx in a simple sentence?
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Here's an example: "When you speak, your larynx vibrates to create sound." This sentence shows how the word is used in everyday medical conversations.