Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

straits

/stɹˈeɪts/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.37 in modern English

Syllables: straits
IPA: /stɹˈeɪts/

7

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

plural of strait

verb

third-person singular simple present indicative of strait

name

Ellipsis of the Straits Settlements, a former British colony along the Strait of Malacca.

name

Ellipsis of Dire Straits, a British rock band.

Informal

Example Sentences

"It may have been originally in India, as it is now in the Straits, a closed litter for ladies of rank, and the word may have become appropriated to the open conveyance in which European ladies are carried."
"Straits-born Chinese"

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

the Straits (canonical)

Synonyms

pass head strait

Homonyms

straights

Rhymes With

states rates dates updates gates creates plates hates mates debates traits estates

Questions

How do you pronounce straits?: The recorded pronunciation is /stɹˈeɪts/.
What does straits mean?: plural of strait

How to pronounce straits

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