How to Pronounce Phalanx
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Phalanx Pronunciation
FAY-langks
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
FAY
stress here
langks
2 syllables
What is Phalanx?
A single bone of a finger or toe (the plural is phalanges). Each finger has three phalanges (proximal, middle, and distal) except the thumb and big toe which have two. Named after the ancient Greek military formation of soldiers standing closely together.
Questions About Phalanx
How do you pronounce 'phalanx'?
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Phalanx is pronounced FAY-langks. The first syllable rhymes with "say," and the second syllable sounds like "langks" with a hard K sound at the end. The stress falls on the first syllable: FAY-langks.
What is the most common mispronunciation of phalanx?
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Many people put the stress on the second syllable and say fuh-LANGKS, but this is incorrect. The correct pronunciation stresses the first syllable: FAY-langks. Remember to emphasize the "FAY" part to say it right.
How do you break 'phalanx' into syllables?
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Phalanx breaks into two syllables: pha-lanx. The first syllable "pha" sounds like "fay," and the second syllable "lanx" rhymes with "banks."
What does 'phalanx' mean in simple English?
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A phalanx is a single bone in your finger or toe. Most fingers have three phalanges (the plural), but your thumb and big toe only have two. Think of each phalanx as one of the small bones you can feel when you bend your finger.
Why is a finger bone called a 'phalanx'?
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The word comes from ancient Greece and originally referred to a tight formation of soldiers standing shoulder-to-shoulder in battle. The Greeks named the finger bones after this military formation because the bones stand close together, just like soldiers in a phalanx.
What is the plural of phalanx?
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The plural of phalanx is phalanges, pronounced fuh-LAN-jeez. This comes from the original Greek word, so it has an irregular plural ending rather than just adding an "s."
Are there related words that share the phalanx root?
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Yes—phalanges is the plural form. You might also hear "phalangeal" (pronounced fuh-lan-JEE-ul), which is an adjective meaning "related to the phalanges." For example, a doctor might refer to "phalangeal bones."
Can you use 'phalanx' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The doctor pointed out that each phalanx in your finger is connected by small joints." Another example: "Your thumb is shorter because it has only two phalanges instead of three like your other fingers."