Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pugilistic

/pjˌudʒəlˈɪstɪk/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.86 in modern English

Syllables: pugilis-tic
IPA: /pjˌudʒəlˈɪstɪk/

15

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

In the manner of a pugilist.

adj

Fighting with the fists.

Example Sentences

"It was no time for pugilistic chivalry, and my brother laid him quiet with a kick, and gripped the collar of the man who pulled at the slender lady's arm."
"Mr. Christie, who as a presidential candidate has frequently suppressed his most pugilistic instincts, cast off any restraint and did what he does best: slice and slash."

Etymology

From pugilist + -ic, alternatively pugil + -istic.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: pugilist, pugil

Inflected Forms

more pugilistic (comparative) most pugilistic (superlative)

Derived Forms

pugilistically pugilistics unpugilistic

Rhymes With

artistic realistic characteristic optimistic linguistic mystic unrealistic ballistic statistic autistic futuristic holistic

Questions

How do you pronounce pugilistic?: The recorded pronunciation is /pjˌudʒəlˈɪstɪk/.
What does pugilistic mean?: In the manner of a pugilist.
Where does pugilistic come from?: From pugilist + -ic, alternatively pugil + -istic.

How to pronounce pugilistic

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