Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rigorous

/ˈɹɪɡəɹəs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.68 in modern English

Syllables
rig-or-ous
IPA
/ˈɹɪɡəɹəs/
9
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Severe; intense.

Example Sentences

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English rigorous, from Middle French and Anglo-Norman rigoreus, derived from Late Latin rigōrōsus (stiff, rigid; inflexible). By surface analysis, rigor + -ous.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *Hreyǵ-, rigorous, -, rigoreus, rigōrōsus

Inflected Forms

more rigorous (comparative) most rigorous (superlative) rigourous (alternative)

Derived Forms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce rigorous?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹɪɡəɹəs/.
What does rigorous mean?
Showing, causing, or favoring rigour/rigor; scrupulously accurate or strict; thorough.
Where does rigorous come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce rigorous

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