How to pronounce abecedary
Say it like ay-bee-SEE-der-ee. Abecedary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abecedary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ay
- bee
- SEE
- der
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abecedary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- beeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of abecedary
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ay-bee-SEE-duh-ree.
What does abecedary mean?
- The alphabet, written out in a teaching book, or carved on a wall; a primer; abecedarium.
- One that teaches or learns the alphabet or the fundamentals of any subject; abecedarian.
- Referring to the alphabet; alphabetical; related to or resembling an abecedarius; abecedarian.
Where does abecedary come from?
From Middle English abscedary, from Medieval Latin abecedārium (“alphabet, ABC primer”), from Late Latin abecedārius (“of the alphabet”), formed from the first four letters of the Latin alphabet + -ārius.
Questions about saying abecedary
How do you pronounce abecedary?
Say ay-bee-SEE-der-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˌeɪbiˈsidɚi/. In British English it is /ˌeɪbiːˈsiːdəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abecedary?
Abecedary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEE). Broken into parts: ay · bee · SEE · der · ee.
Is abecedary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌeɪbiːˈsiːdəri/ (ay-bee-SEE-duh-ree).