How to Pronounce Abstruse

To pronounce "abstruse", say ABSTR-us-e — 3 syllables, IPA /əbˈstɹuːs/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

abstruse

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying abstruse, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

3

Syllables

8

Letters

/əbˈstɹuːs/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “abstruse”

"abstruse" has 3 syllables: abstr-us-e. It rhymes with induce and obtuse, if that helps it stick.

What does abstruse mean?

adjective

  1. Difficult to comprehend or understand.
  2. Concealed or hidden out of the way; secret.

Synonyms

clandestinesecretsurreptitiousesotericobscurerecondite

Hear “abstruse” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with abstruse

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

induceobtuseproducenoususededucereducereclusedouceabuseloosediffuse

Related words

reconditedeepesotericcryptographsmystifyingcomplicatedgrossinvolute

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "abstruse"?▾

"Abstruse" has 3 syllables: abstr · us · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "abstruse"?▾

The IPA transcription of "abstruse" is /əbˈstɹuːs/.

What does "abstruse" mean?▾

Abstruse: Difficult to comprehend or understand.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “abstruse” in the full dictionary →