How to pronounce accessory
Say it like ak-SES-uh-ree. Accessory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accessory. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ak
- SES
- uh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accessory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- akKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- SESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of accessory
American and British speakers say accessory in essentially the same way: /ækˈsɛsəri/ in the US and /ækˈsɛsəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: ak-SES-uh-ree.
What does accessory mean?
- clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
- a supplementary component that improves capability
- someone who helps another person commit a crime
- aiding and abetting in a crime“he was charged with being accessory to the crime”
- furnishing added support“an ancillary pump”“an adjuvant discipline to forms of mysticism”
Where does accessory come from?
From Medieval Latin accessōrius, from Latin accessor (“helper, subordinate”), from accessus.
Questions about saying accessory
How do you pronounce accessory?
Say ak-SES-uh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ækˈsɛsəri/. In British English it is /ækˈsɛsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accessory?
Accessory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES). Broken into parts: ak · SES · uh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say accessory the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ækˈsɛsəri/ and the British form is /ækˈsɛsəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.