English pronunciation · Words Starting with L
Lunatic Pronunciation
Lunatic is pronounced LOO-nuh-tik, IPA /ˈlunəˌtɪk/.
LOO-nuh-tik
US /ˈlunəˌtɪk/ · UK /ˈluːnəˌtɪk/
Syllables: LOO · nuh · tik (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun and adjective: A person who behaves wildly or dangerously, a word now avoided in medical use.
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Lunatic in a Sentence
- Some lunatic was driving the wrong way down the slip road.
- The whole plan sounded lunatic to her.
- He drove like a lunatic all the way home.
Common Mispronunciations of Lunatic
Not loo-NA-tik
LOO opens loud and the two beats behind it drop away, although lunatic and fanatic look as though they should match.
Not LYOO-nuh-tik
Americans say a plain oo after the l. The y glide survives in British readings of lunar and lucid.
Tip: The word comes from luna, the moon, which was once blamed for the behaviour it describes.
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