English pronunciation · Words Starting with D
Duchess Pronunciation
Duchess is pronounced DUH-chuhs, IPA /ˈdətʃəs/.
DUH-chuhs
US /ˈdətʃəs/ · UK /ˈdʌtʃɛs/
Syllables: DUH · chuhs (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun: A woman holding the rank of duke, or the wife of a duke.
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Duchess in a Sentence
- The duchess opened the new wing of the hospital.
- A duchess ranks just below a princess.
- She was made a duchess on her wedding day.
Common Mispronunciations of Duchess
Not DOO-chess
The u is the uh of much, not the oo of duke, even though duke and duchess share a root.
Not doo-SHES
Front stress, and the ch stays a full ch. The sh reading comes from the French duchesse.
Tip: American dictionaries weaken the ending to chuhs, while British ones keep a fuller DUCH-ess.
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