How to Pronounce Rats

To pronounce "rats", say RATS — one syllable, IPA /ɹæts/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

rats

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Accent

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/ɹæts/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “rats”

"rats" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with aristocrats and plutocrats, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: ratz, ratts — easy to mix up when writing.

What does rats mean?

noun

  1. A medium-sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.
  2. Any of the numerous members of several rodent families (e.g. voles and mice) that resemble true rats in appearance, usually having a pointy snout, a long, bare tail, and body length greater than about 12 cm, or 5 inches.

verb

  1. (usually with “on” or “out”) To betray a person or party, especially by telling their secret to an authority or an enemy; to turn someone in.

    “He is going to rat us out!”

  2. To work as a scab, going against trade union policies.

noun

  1. A scratch or a score.
  2. A place in the sea with rapid currents and crags where a ship is likely to be torn apart in stormy weather.

Synonyms

stool pigeontraitorbewrayfingerput the finger ontell on

Words that rhyme with rats

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

aristocratsplutocratsspatscaveatslatsflatsbureaucratssplatsslatshabitatsformatsbrats

Related words

skunkstagblackleggrasscrumbpeachscabshit

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "rats"?▾

"Rats" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "rats"?▾

The IPA transcription of "rats" is /ɹæts/.

What does "rats" mean?▾

Rats: A medium-sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.

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