How to pronounce abbreviations
Say it like uh-bree-vee-AY-shunz. Abbreviations has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abbreviations. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- bree
- vee
- AY
- shunz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abbreviations pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- breeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abbreviations
American and British speakers say abbreviations in essentially the same way: /əˌbriviˈeɪʃənz/ in the US and /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃənz/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-bree-vee-AY-shunz.
What does abbreviations mean?
- plural of abbreviation How to pronounce abbreviation
Words that rhyme with abbreviations
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abbreviations.
Questions about saying abbreviations
How do you pronounce abbreviations?
Say uh-bree-vee-AY-shunz. The American pronunciation is /əˌbriviˈeɪʃənz/. In British English it is /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃənz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abbreviations?
Abbreviations has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY). Broken into parts: uh · bree · vee · AY · shunz.
Do Americans and Brits say abbreviations the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˌbriviˈeɪʃənz/ and the British form is /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃənz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.