How to Pronounce "clothes"
The correct pronunciation of "clothes" is KLOHTHZ /kləʊðz/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "KLO-thes" habit for good.
clothes
/kləʊðz/Items you wear, such as shirts, trousers, and dresses.
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Record yourself saying “clothes” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "KLO-thes" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "KLO-thes" or "klo-thus" in two syllables. | KLOHTHZ /kləʊðz/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Single syllable. |
How Do You Pronounce "clothes"?
"clothes" is pronounced KLOHTHZ /kləʊðz/. The stress is on the single syllable. As a noun (plural), it means items you wear, such as shirts, trousers, and dresses.
ONE syllable. The "-es" is not a separate syllable — the word ends in a single /ðz/ blend: KLOHTHZ.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "clothes" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
KLOHTHZ — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Single syllable. Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
ONE syllable. The "-es" is not a separate syllable — the word ends in a single /ðz/ blend: KLOHTHZ.
Blend and repeat
Now say "clothes" at normal speed: KLOHTHZ. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "clothes" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
close (the door) → clothes
Start from close and slip a soft th inside: KLOHTHZ.
NOT KLO-thes — KLOHTHZ
One syllable — the -es is never a separate beat.
new clothes for the interview — KLOHTHZ
In fast speech it sounds almost like close.
Why "clothes" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
The plural "-es" is a full syllable in many words (boxes, watches), so learners apply the same rule here.
Tip: Say "close" (as in close the door) and add a soft "th" inside it: KLOHTHZ. In fast speech it sounds almost like "close".
Hear “clothes” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
I need to buy new clothes for the interview.
Pack warm clothes for the trip.
These clothes are still wet.
Words Related to "clothes"
Related: cloth
The singular material is KLOTH with a short "o".
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "clothes" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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