how to pronounce onset

/ˈɒn.sɛt/

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

press buttons with phonetic symbols to learn how to precisely pronounce each sound of onset

1.

2. example pitch curve for pronunciation of onset

test your pronunciation of onset

press the "test" button to check how closely you can replicate the pitch of a native speaker in your pronunciation of onset

video examples of onset pronunciation

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

“… and I call that onset make a friend of …”

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 - C1 level of CEFR

the word onset occurs in english on average 8.2 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.