how to pronounce onset

/ˈɑːnˌsɛt/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of onset is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

onset is pronounced in two syllables

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1.

ɑː

2. example pitch curve for pronunciation of onset

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video examples of onset pronunciation

An example use of onset in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… by the eye the onset of World War two …”

meanings of onset

noun:

A setting about; a beginning.
The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent.
The initial portion of a syllable, preceding the syllable nucleus.
Anything added, such as an ornament or as a useful appendage.
An attack; an assault especially of an army.
The beginning of a musical note or other sound, in which the amplitude rises from zero to an initial peak.

verb:

To assault; to set upon.
To set about; to begin.

onset frequency in english - C2 level of CEFR

the word onset occurs in english on average 3.1 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C2 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.