Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

helix

/ˈhiːlɪks/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.26 in modern English

Syllables: he-lix
IPA: /ˈhiːlɪks/

15

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A curve on the surface of a cylinder or cone such that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant; the three-dimensional curve seen in a screw or a spiral staircase.

noun

A small volute under the abacus of a Corinthian capital.

noun

The incurved rim of the external ear.

noun

An upside down midair 360° spin in playboating.

verb

To form or cause to form a helix.

Example Sentences

"helix piercing"
"A large positive inclination gives a chip which will helix out of the space between the face mill and the workpiece."
"When the shaft is unsupported, the large torque tends to helix the inner core, and if the casing is not stiff enough, it will helix the casing also."
"The decrease in d enhances the probability that remaining SDLs will helix, leading to an outward traveling wave of helixing and a jump in 5d."
"Conceptually, this field will helix up from the genital tip, here modelled as the caudal singularity of the left and right domains of the H-CFs."

Etymology

From Latin helix, from Ancient Greek ἕλιξ (hélix, “something twisted or spiral”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: *welH-, helix, ἕλιξ

Inflected Forms

helixes (plural) helices (plural) helixes (present, singular) helixing (participle, present) helixed (participle, past) helixed (past)

Derived Forms

anthelix antihelix helical helically helicase heliciform helicin helixlike hemihelix interhelix microhelix minihelix

Phrases

alpha helix Boerdijk-Coxeter helix double helix helix-loop-helix helix-turn-helix self-helixing left-handed right-handed

Frequently Paired Words

helicopter left-handed right-handed spiral

Synonyms

spiral coil volute whorl

Rhymes With

felix six politics fix mix picks comics pics tricks sticks matrix kicks

Questions

How do you pronounce helix?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhiːlɪks/.
What does helix mean?: A curve on the surface of a cylinder or cone such that its angle to a plane perpendicular to the axis is constant; the three-dimensional curve seen in a screw or a spiral staircase.
Where does helix come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce helix

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