What is stress? Pronunciation and usage in English

stress means . Learn how to pronounce and use stress through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of stress

stressnoun

/strɛs/
Definition & pronunciation of stress

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "stress" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Short Way (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈstres/ (Stress on the first syllable)
  • Breakdown:
    • “st” - Pronounced like the "st" in "stop."
    • “re” - Pronounced like the "re" in "red."
    • “ss” - Pronounced like two "s" sounds quickly together (like "s" in "miss").

2. The Longer Way (More Formal/Traditional):

  • Pronunciation: /strɛs/ (Stress on the first syllable)
  • Breakdown:
    • “str” - Pronounced like the "str" in "stream."
    • “e” – Pronounced like the “e” in “bed.”
    • “ss” – Pronounced like "s" in "miss."

Key Differences & Tips:

  • The “ss” sound is crucial: Don't just say “stres.” The double “s” is often what trips people up. Practice saying “s” quickly twice.
  • The length of the “e”: The longer “e” sound is more common in older British English, but the short “e” is perfectly acceptable and very common in American English.
  • Emphasis: The stress is always on the first syllable.

Resources to Help You:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce stress word" on Google and listen to the audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/stress/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce stress in English" - you'll find many helpful videos.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (American English vs. British English can have slight differences)

Usage and examples with the word stress in English

Let's break down how to use the word "stress" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. Stress (as in Pressure & Anxiety)

  • Meaning: This is the most common understanding of "stress" – a feeling of being overwhelmed, pressured, or worried. It's related to psychological and emotional strain.
  • How to use it:
    • "I'm feeling a lot of stress at work lately." (General feeling of pressure)
    • "The exam created a huge amount of stress for me." (Specific event causing anxiety)
    • "She's under a lot of stress trying to meet her deadlines." (Ongoing pressure)
    • "Stress can have a negative impact on your health." (Discussing the effects)
  • Synonyms: pressure, anxiety, worry, tension, strain, burden, agitation.

2. Stress (as in Emphasis in Words)

  • Meaning: This refers to the way you pronounce a syllable in a word, making it louder and longer. It’s indicated with an accent mark (´) over the stressed syllable.
  • How to use it:
    • "The word 'photo' is stressed on the first syllable: pho-TO.” (Pointing out pronunciation)
    • "Stress helps you understand the meaning of a word." (Explaining its function)
    • "Notice how the verb ‘establish’ is stressed - es-TAB-lish.” (Providing an example)
  • Key Words with Stress Marked:
    • photo
    • already
    • holiday
    • possible
    • comfortable
    • opportunity

3. Stress (as in Physical Force)

  • Meaning: This refers to the force exerted on an object, often creating pressure or tension.
  • How to use it:
    • "The pressure on the tire was too high – it was under a lot of stress." (Referring to a physical force)
    • "The engineer designed the bridge to withstand the stress of heavy traffic." (Technical context)
    • "The material was not strong enough to handle the stress." (Describing material properties)
  • Synonyms: pressure, force, tension

4. Stress (as in Difficulty or Importance)

  • Meaning: This is a less common usage, referring to the importance or difficulty of something.
  • How to use it:
    • “This project is under a lot of stress – there’s a tight deadline and many challenges.” (Highlighting difficulty)
    • “The situation is under intense stress.” (Emphasizing the significance of a problem)

Phrases using "Stress":

  • Stress test: A test to see how a system or material responds to pressure (often used in finance or engineering).
  • Stress relief: Activities designed to reduce stress (e.g., yoga, meditation, hobbies).
  • Stress management: Strategies for coping with and reducing stress.
  • Put someone under stress: To cause someone to feel stressed.

Tips for Using "Stress" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning of "stress" is being used.
  • Accents: When referring to word stress, be accurate with the placement of the accent mark.
  • Don’t overuse it: While "stress" is common, vary your vocabulary to avoid repetitive language.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "stress"? (e.g., write an essay, have a conversation, understand a news article?)

Synonyms for the word stress

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