How to pronounce allegory
Say it like AL-uh-gor-ee. Allegory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce allegory. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AL
- uh
- gor
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Allegory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ALSay 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.
- gorGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of allegory
American and British speakers say allegory in essentially the same way: /ˈæləˌɡɔri/ in the US and /ˈælɪɡəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: AL-ih-guh-ree.
What does allegory mean?
- The use of symbols which may be interpreted to reveal a hidden, broader message, usually a moral or political one, about real-world issues and occurrences; also, the interpretation of such symbols.
- A picture, story, or other form of communication in which one or more characters, events, or places are used to reveal a hidden, broader message about real-world issues and occurrences.
- A character or thing which symbolically represents someone or something else; an emblem, a symbol.
Where does allegory come from?
The verb is derived from the noun.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying allegory
How do you pronounce allegory?
Say AL-uh-gor-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈæləˌɡɔri/. In British English it is /ˈælɪɡəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in allegory?
Allegory has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL). Broken into parts: AL · uh · gor · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say allegory the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæləˌɡɔri/ and the British form is /ˈælɪɡəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.