English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Customs Pronunciation
Customs is pronounced KUH-stuhmz, IPA /ˈkəstəmz/.
KUH-stuhmz
US /ˈkəstəmz/ · UK /ˈkʌstəmz/
Syllables: KUH · stuhmz (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun: The government department that checks goods at a border, or the duties charged on them.
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Customs in a Sentence
- We were held up at customs for an hour.
- Customs seized the shipment.
- The customs form has to be filled in twice.
Common Mispronunciations of Customs
Not KUH-stuh-muhz
Two beats only, with no er anywhere in the middle. A third beat gives customers.
Not kuh-STUHMZ
Lead at the front, as custom and customary both do.
Tip: Going through customs and a local custom are the same word, and only the plural names the border authority.
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