Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

clause

/kloːz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.99 in modern English

Syllables
clause
IPA
/kloːz/
8
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A group of words that contains a subject and a verb; it may be part of a sentence or may constitute the whole sentence, depending on the syntax in each instance.

noun

A verb along with its subject and their modifiers. If a clause provides a complete thought on its own, then it is an independent (superordinate) clause; otherwise, it is dependent (subordinate). (Independent clauses can be sentences; they can also be part of a sentence. Dependent clauses can only be part of a sentence.)

noun

A distinct part of a contract, a will or another legal document.

noun

A constituent (component) of a statement or query.

verb

To amend (a bill of lading or similar document).

Transitive verb

name

A surname.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English clause, claus, borrowed from Old French clause, from Medieval Latin clausa (Latin diminutive clausula (“close, end; a clause, close of a period”)), from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere (“to shut, close”). See close, its doublet.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: clause, clausa, clausus, *(s)kleh₂w-

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /kloːz/
  • British English: /klɔːz/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

3-clause clause element clause function content clause acceleration clause adjectival clause attestation clause attributive clause

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce clause?
The recorded pronunciation is /kloːz/.
What does clause mean?
A group of words that contains a subject and a verb; it may be part of a sentence or may constitute the whole sentence, depending on the syntax in each instance.
Where does clause come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce clause

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