How to Pronounce "hummus"
The correct pronunciation of "hummus" is HUUM-uhs /ˈhʊməs/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "hoo-MOOS" habit for good.
hummus
/ˈhʊməs/A thick dip made from mashed chickpeas, sesame paste, lemon and garlic.
Practice more words like this in the Pronunciation Challenge — a free mic test, no login.
Tap play to hear “hummus”, then say it aloud and get a free instant clarity check with your microphone.Get your real pronunciation score
Record yourself saying “hummus” and get a real, AI-graded score with word-by-word feedback — no account needed.
Record yourself saying “hummus” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "hoo-MOOS" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "hoo-MOOS" or "hum-MUS" with stress on the second syllable. | HUUM-uhs /ˈhʊməs/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | First syllable (HUUM). |
How Do You Pronounce "hummus"?
"hummus" is pronounced HUUM-uhs /ˈhʊməs/. The stress is on the first syllable (HUUM). As a noun, it means a thick dip made from mashed chickpeas, sesame paste, lemon and garlic.
The stress is on the first syllable and the ending is a soft 'uhs': HUUM-uhs, not 'hoo-MOOS'.
Note: US often /ˈhʌməs/ ("HUM-uhs"); both stress the first syllable, never the second.
Say "hummus" 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
HUUM-uhs — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
First syllable (HUUM). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The stress is on the first syllable and the ending is a soft 'uhs': HUUM-uhs, not 'hoo-MOOS'.
Blend and repeat
Now say "hummus" at normal speed: HUUM-uhs. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "hummus" (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.
HUUM → HUUM-uhs
Stress the first beat; soft ending.
NOT hoo-MOOS — HUUM-uhs
Don't stress or lengthen the second beat.
Say at speed: "We had hummus with pita."
Keep the ending soft.
Why "hummus" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers stress the second beat and lengthen the ending, but this loanword keeps stress on the first with a soft final 'uhs'.
Tip: Stress the first beat: HUUM-uhs, ending soft.
Hear “hummus” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
We had hummus with pita.
This hummus is homemade.
Add hummus to the platter.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "hummus" 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.
Practice "hummus" — and every other word — anywhere on the web
Highlight any sentence on any website or YouTube video, read it aloud, and get an instant clarity score with word-by-word feedback — the same check you just tried above, everywhere you read.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce "hummus" in Indian English?
What is the most common mistake when saying "hummus"?
Why do Indian English speakers find "hummus" hard to pronounce?
Is there a US and UK difference in pronouncing "hummus"?
Hear How Your English Really Sounds
Read a passage aloud and get scored word by word, with misread words highlighted and the sounds behind them a tap away. Used by 30,000+ learners.
Read Aloud, scored per word
Misread words highlighted
AI tutor voice calls