English pronunciation · Words Starting with E

Esque Pronunciation

Esque is pronounced ESK, IPA /ˈɛsk/.

ESK

US /ˈɛsk/

Syllables: ESK (1 syllable)

suffix: A suffix taken from French meaning in the style or manner of, as in picturesque and Kafkaesque.

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Esque in a Sentence

  • The suffix esque turns a name into an adjective, as in Dickensesque.
  • Critics reach for esque so freely that some editors have banned it.
  • Anything built with esque claims a resemblance rather than a fact.

Common Mispronunciations of Esque

Not ESS-kyoo

Treat the qu as a plain k and stop. The u is there only to keep the French spelling and the final e stays silent.

Not e-SKAY

This is not the Italian or Spanish treatment of a final e. English takes the whole thing as one closed syllable that rhymes with desk.

Tip: One syllable. Whatever word it attaches to, the stress lands here.

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