Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

intercostal

/ˌɪn.tɚˈkɔ.stəl/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.18 in modern English

Syllables
in-ter-costal
IPA
/ˌɪn.tɚˈkɔ.stəl/
13
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Between the ribs of an animal or person.

adj

Between the ribs of a boat.

noun

Any of the intercostal muscles.

noun

Something that is between the ribs of an animal.

noun

Hull reinforcing inserted between frames or bulkheads of a boat.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Indo-European *-tér Proto-Indo-European *h₁n̥tér Proto-Italic *n̥ter Latin inter Latin inter-bor. English inter- English costal English intercostal From inter- + costal.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˌɪn.tɚˈkɔ.stəl/
  • British English: /ˌɪn.təˈkɒs.təl/

Inflected Forms

intercostals (plural)

Derived Forms

intercostally

Phrases

intercostal space

Frequently Paired Words

extracostal infracostal intracostal subcostal supracostal entrecôte

Synonyms

intercostalis intercostal muscle musculus intercostalis

Rhymes With

hostile hostel pentecostal costal postil

Questions

How do you pronounce intercostal?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɪn.tɚˈkɔ.stəl/.
What does intercostal mean?
Between the ribs of an animal or person.
Where does intercostal come from?
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Indo-European *-tér Proto-Indo-European *h₁n̥tér Proto-Italic *n̥ter Latin inter Latin inter-bor. English inter- English costal English intercostal From inter- + costal.

How to pronounce intercostal

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “intercostal”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɪn.tɚˈkɔ.stəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “intercostal”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “intercostal” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.