How to pronounce abacus
Say it like AB-uh-kus. Abacus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abacus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AB
- uh
- kus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abacus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abacus
American and British speakers say abacus in essentially the same way: /ˈæbəkəs/ in the US and /ˈæbəkəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: AB-uh-kus.
What does abacus mean?
- A device used for performing arithmetical calculations; (rare) a table on which loose counters are placed, or (more commonly) an instrument with beads sliding on rods, or counters in grooves, with one row of beads or counters representing units, the next tens, etc.“I’ve heard merchants still use an abacus for adding things up in China.”
- The uppermost portion of the capital of a column immediately under the architrave, in some cases a flat oblong or square slab, in others more decorated.
Where does abacus come from?
The plural form abaci is reinforced from Latin abacī.
Questions about saying abacus
How do you pronounce abacus?
Say AB-uh-kus. The American pronunciation is /ˈæbəkəs/. In British English it is /ˈæbəkəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abacus?
Abacus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB). Broken into parts: AB · uh · kus.
Do Americans and Brits say abacus the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæbəkəs/ and the British form is /ˈæbəkəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.