English pronunciation · Words Starting with C

Cerberus Pronunciation

Cerberus is pronounced SUR-buh-ruhs, IPA /ˈsɝbərəs/.

SUR-buh-ruhs

US /ˈsɝbərəs/  ·  UK /ˈsɜːbərəs/

Syllables: SUR · buh · ruhs (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

proper noun: The three-headed dog of Greek myth that guards the entrance to the underworld.

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Cerberus in a Sentence

  • Cerberus lets the dead in and never lets them out.
  • The twelfth labour was to bring back Cerberus alive.
  • A mosaic of Cerberus covers most of the floor.

Common Mispronunciations of Cerberus

Not KER-buh-ruhs

A c before e is soft in English, so this name begins with an s.

Not ser-BE-ruhs

The opening syllable takes the beat and the two after it are barely coloured at all.

Tip: The Greek form Kerberos keeps a hard k, but the Latin spelling brought a soft c into English.

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