How to Pronounce Detoxification

Say it like this: dee-tok-sih-fih-KAY-shun. The stress falls on the last syllable, which is KAY. If you say it with the stress on a different part, it won't sound right to medical professionals.

The stressed syllable is KAY, which is the second-to-last part of the word. When you say detoxification, make that syllable louder and longer than the others: dee-tok-sih-fih-**KAY**-shun.

Many people stress the wrong syllable and say dee-TOK-sih-fih-kay-shun or dee-tok-sih-FIH-kay-shun. Remember: the stress goes on KAY, near the end of the word, not in the middle.

The word breaks into six parts: de-tox-i-fi-ca-tion. Saying it this way helps you see how the pieces fit together before you put the stress on the right syllable.

It's built from two parts: 'de-' (meaning to remove) and 'toxification' (related to toxin, which means poison). So the word literally means 'removing poison' from the body.

Detoxification means clearing harmful or unwanted substances out of your body in a safe, controlled way. It's a straightforward medical term for a cleaning-out process.

Yes—many people use the shorter term 'detox' (say it: DEE-toks). You'll hear 'detox' in everyday conversation and medical settings, and it means the same thing as the longer word.

Words like 'toxin,' 'toxic,' and 'detoxify' all share the root 'tox,' which relates to poison. 'Detoxify' is the verb form (the action), while 'detoxification' is the noun form (the process or result).

Here's an example: 'The patient's medical team is monitoring him during the detoxification process.' This shows the word being used to describe a medical process that's happening.