How to Pronounce Cataracts
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Cataracts Pronunciation
KAT-ah-rakts
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
KAT
stress here
ah
rakts
3 syllables
What is Cataracts?
A clouding of the eye's natural lens that sits behind the iris and pupil, causing blurry or dimmed vision. Cataracts are very common with aging and are treated with surgical removal of the cloudy lens.
Questions About Cataracts
How do you pronounce the word 'cataracts'?
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Cataracts is pronounced KAT-ah-rakts. The first syllable rhymes with 'cat,' the second sounds like 'ah' in 'father,' and the third rhymes with 'acts.' The stress falls on the first syllable: KAT.
What is the most common mispronunciation of 'cataracts'?
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Many people accidentally stress the second syllable and say kuh-TAR-akts, but that's incorrect. Remember to put the emphasis on the first syllable: KAT-ah-rakts, just like the word 'catalog.'
How do you break 'cataracts' into syllables?
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The word breaks into three syllables: CAT-a-racts. This three-part split makes it easier to say each part slowly and then put it together at normal speed.
Where does the word 'cataracts' come from?
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The word comes from the Greek word 'kataraktes,' which means 'waterfall' or 'rushing down.' Ancient doctors used this word because they thought the clouding looked like water had fallen over the eye.
Is there a short way to say or write 'cataracts'?
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There is no common abbreviation for cataracts like there is for some other medical terms. Doctors and patients usually just say or write out the full word 'cataracts.'
What does 'cataract' (singular) mean compared to 'cataracts' (plural)?
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A cataract (KAT-ah-rakt) is one cloudy lens in one eye, while cataracts (KAT-ah-rakts) is the plural, meaning either clouding in both eyes or multiple cloudy areas. The singular and plural are pronounced almost identically except the plural adds a 's' sound at the end.
Can you use 'cataracts' in a simple sentence?
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Yes, here's an example: 'Her grandfather was having trouble reading because of cataracts.' This sentence shows how the word is used in everyday conversation to talk about the eye condition.
What other medical words share the same Greek root as 'cataracts'?
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The word 'cataract' shares its 'kata-' root with other medical terms like 'catalepsy' and 'catabolism,' all coming from the Greek prefix meaning 'down' or 'through.' Knowing this root can help you remember and recognize similar medical words.