How to Pronounce Metronidazole
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Metronidazole Pronunciation
meh-troh-NY-da-zole
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
meh
troh
NY
stress here
da
zole
5 syllables
What is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is used to treat infections of the reproductive system, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, skin, heart, bone, joint, lung, blood, nervous system, and other areas of the body. It is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Metronidazole is also used to treat bacterial vaginosis (an infection caused by too much of certain types of harmful bacteria in the vagina) in women. Metronidazole is in a class of medications called nitroimidazole antimicrobials. It works by st
Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Questions About Metronidazole
How do you pronounce metronidazole?
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Metronidazole is pronounced MEH-troh-NY-duh-zole. Break it into four syllables: meh-troh-NY-da-zole. The stress falls on the third syllable, which is NY — say it a bit louder and longer than the others.
What is the stressed syllable in metronidazole?
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The stressed syllable is the third one: NY. Many people mistakenly stress the first syllable (MEH) or the second syllable (troh), but the correct emphasis is on NY in the middle of the word.
What are common mispronunciations of metronidazole?
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People often say meh-TROH-nuh-dazole (stressing the second syllable) or MET-roh-nidazole (adding an extra T sound at the start). The correct way keeps the stress on the third syllable: meh-troh-NY-duh-zole.
How many syllables does metronidazole have?
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Metronidazole has four syllables: meh-troh-NY-da-zole. Saying each syllable slowly helps you get the pronunciation right.
Is there a shorter way to say or write metronidazole?
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Yes, metronidazole is often abbreviated as "metro" or "flagyl" (its brand name). You would say "metro" as MEH-troh, but remember that abbreviations may not be understood in all medical settings, so using the full name is often clearer.
How do you use metronidazole in a sentence?
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You might hear it in a sentence like this: "The doctor prescribed metronidazole, which is pronounced meh-troh-NY-duh-zole." Or: "When you pick up your prescription, ask the pharmacist how to pronounce metronidazole correctly."
Why is the stress on the third syllable of metronidazole?
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In English, medication names often have stress patterns that don't follow typical rules — you just have to learn them. For metronidazole, the medical community decided the stress goes on NY, the third syllable, and that's the standard pronunciation you'll hear from doctors and pharmacists.