How to pronounce alliance
Say it like uh-LY-uns. Alliance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alliance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- LY
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alliance 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.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of alliance
American and British speakers say alliance in essentially the same way: /əˈlaɪəns/ in the US and /əˈlaɪəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-LY-uns.
What does alliance mean?
- the state of being allied or confederated
- a connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest“the shifting alliances within a large family”“their friendship constitutes a powerful bond between them”
- an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty
Where does alliance come from?
From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance (French alliance).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with alliance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of alliance.
Questions about saying alliance
How do you pronounce alliance?
Say uh-LY-uns. The American pronunciation is /əˈlaɪəns/. In British English it is /əˈlaɪəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alliance?
Alliance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LY). Broken into parts: uh · LY · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say alliance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈlaɪəns/ and the British form is /əˈlaɪəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.