Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

retrovirus

/ɹˌɛtɹoʊvˈaɪɹəs/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.35 in modern English

Syllables
retro-virus
IPA
/ɹˌɛtɹoʊvˈaɪɹəs/
13
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any of a group of viruses which insert a copy of their RNA genome into the DNA of a host cell, thus changing the genome of that cell.

noun

A computer virus that seeks to attack antivirus programs in an attempt to avoid detection.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From retro- + virus, from its reverse direction of replication.

Word Breakdown

Inflected Forms

retroviruses (plural)

Derived Forms

antiretrovirus gammaretrovirus oncoretrovirus orthoretrovirus pararetrovirus spumaretrovirus

Phrases

endogenous retrovirus

Frequently Paired Words

retroviral retrovirological retrovirologist retrovirology

Rhymes With

virus cyrus iris antivirus desirous cytomegalovirus

Questions

How do you pronounce retrovirus?
The recorded pronunciation is /ɹˌɛtɹoʊvˈaɪɹəs/.
What does retrovirus mean?
Any of a group of viruses which insert a copy of their RNA genome into the DNA of a host cell, thus changing the genome of that cell.
Where does retrovirus come from?
From retro- + virus, from its reverse direction of replication.

How to pronounce retrovirus

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