Learn How to Pronounce Cicadas

Quick Answer: In English, the word Cicadas is pronounced [sɪˈkeɪdəz] or [sɪˈkɑːdəz].
(Listen to the audio above for the stress and intonation)

The Expert's Take

Dr. Franz Lang

"Every summer, the deafening sound of cicadas reminds me of my time in the American South. The word itself, with its sibilant 'c' and rhythmic vowels, perfectly mimics the buzzing acoustic displays of these robust insects that I often discuss in my lectures on onomatopoeia."

By Dr. Franz Lang

Meaning and Context

Cicadas, belonging to the superfamily Cicadoidea within the order Hemiptera, are iconic insects renowned for their distinctive life cycles and powerful acoustic displays. Characterized by their robust bodies, prominent compound eyes, and large, clear wings held roof-like over their abdomen, these insects are most famous for the deafening, collective chorus produced by males using specialized organs called tymbals. This mating song, a quintessential sound of summer in many temperate and tropical regions, is a hallmark of periodical cicada broods, some of which emerge in spectacular, synchronized swarms every 13 or 17 years in a phenomenon known as a mass emergence. These lengthy underground developmental phases, spent as nymphs feeding on xylem from tree roots, make cicadas a fascinating subject for entomology and studies on prime-numbered life cycles. Their emergence provides a crucial food source for wildlife and plays a significant role in forest ecology, aerating soil and pruning tree roots, before the adults mate, lay eggs, and complete their brief but dramatic above-ground existence.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard spelling is "cicada," with the plural most commonly being "cicadas," though the Latinate plural "cicadae" is also occasionally used in scientific contexts. A frequent misspelling arises from phonetic confusion, leading to errors like "cicada," "ciccada," or "cikada." The term is sometimes incorrectly capitalized as a common noun, but it should remain lowercase unless part of a proper taxonomic title. Another common error is the misapplication of the name; cicadas are often mistakenly called "locusts," which are a type of grasshopper with very different biology and behavior. This historical misnomer persists from early American settlements describing the large, noisy emergences of periodical cicadas.

Example Sentences

The deafening drone of the cicadas filled the humid afternoon air, a relentless soundtrack to the peak of summer.

After spending seventeen years underground, the nymphs of Brood X emerged simultaneously, climbing tree trunks to shed their exoskeletons and reveal their adult forms.

Scientists study the unique prime-numbered life cycles of periodical cicadas to understand evolutionary strategies for predator satiation.

While the male's song is produced by rapidly vibrating tymbals on its abdomen, the female cicada is attracted to the specific frequency of her species' call.

Gardeners often find the brown, hollow shells of cicada exuviae clinging to fences and tree bark long after the adults have departed.

Sources and References

I consulted the OED, Wiktionary, and Forvo for the standard pronunciation, while YouGlish provided a wide range of regional American accents for this common insect.

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