How to pronounce abbess
Say it like AB-is. Abbess has two 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 abbess. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AB
- is
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abbess 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.
- isKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of abbess
American and British speakers say abbess in essentially the same way: /ˈæbɪs/ in the US and /ˈæbɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: AB-is.
What does abbess mean?
- A female superior or governess of a nunnery, or convent of nuns, having the same authority over the nuns which the abbots have over the monks.“The abbess was always after the nuns to keep the convent immaculately clean.”
Where does abbess come from?
From Middle English abbesse, from Old French abeesse (French abbesse), from Late Latin or Ecclesiastical Latin abbatissa, feminine of Latin abbas, abbatis (“abbot”).
Questions about saying abbess
How do you pronounce abbess?
Say AB-is. The American pronunciation is /ˈæbɪs/. In British English it is /ˈæbɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abbess?
Abbess has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB). Broken into parts: AB · is.
Do Americans and Brits say abbess the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæbɪs/ and the British form is /ˈæbɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.