How to Pronounce Exhibitionism
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Exhibitionism Pronunciation
ek-sih-BISH-un-iz-um
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
ek
sih
BISH
stress here
un
iz
um
6 syllables
What is Exhibitionism?
Exhibitionism is a mental health condition in which a person has repeated, intense urges to expose their genitals to unsuspecting strangers, often in public settings. These urges cause significant distress or lead to actions that harm the person's relationships, career, or legal standing. It is classified as a paraphilic disorder when the behavior is acted upon or causes serious personal suffering.
Questions About Exhibitionism
How do you pronounce exhibitionism?
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Exhibitionism is pronounced ek-sih-BISH-un-iz-um. The stress falls on the third syllable, which is BISH. Say it like you're saying "exhibit" but with extra syllables added on the end.
What is the stressed syllable in exhibitionism?
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The stressed syllable is BISH, which is the third syllable. A common mistake is putting the stress on the first syllable (EK-sih-bish-un-iz-um), but the correct way is ek-sih-BISH-un-iz-um.
How many syllables does exhibitionism have?
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Exhibitionism has six syllables: ex-hib-i-tion-ism broken down as ek-sih-BISH-un-iz-um. Breaking it into chunks like this makes it much easier to say out loud.
What does the word part 'exhibit' mean in exhibitionism?
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The word comes from the Latin word 'exhibere,' which means 'to display or show.' The suffix '-ism' means a condition or behavior pattern, so the word literally means 'the condition of displaying or showing.'
What is the plain English meaning of exhibitionism?
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Exhibitionism refers to a tendency or behavior pattern involving an urge to display oneself in ways that seek attention or shock. It's a term used in psychology to describe this kind of behavioral or psychological pattern.
What related words share the same root as exhibitionism?
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Related words include 'exhibit' (to display something), 'exhibitor' (a person who displays), and 'exhibition' (a public display or show). All these words come from the same Latin root meaning 'to show or display.'
What is a common mispronunciation of exhibitionism?
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A common mistake is saying ex-HIB-i-shun-iz-um with the stress on the second syllable instead of the third. Remember: ek-sih-BISH-un-iz-um, with the emphasis on BISH.
Can you use exhibitionism in a simple sentence?
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Here's an example: "The psychologist explained that exhibitionism is a pattern of behavior that mental health professionals study and work to understand." This shows how the word is used in medical and psychological contexts.

