How to pronounce alum
Say it like AL-um. Alum has two 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 alum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AL
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alum 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.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of alum
American and British speakers say alum in essentially the same way: /ˈæləm/ in the US and /ˈæləm/ in the UK.
British respelling: AL-um.
Other ways to say alum
Alum also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- uh-LUHM /əˈlʌm/
What does alum mean?
- An astringent salt, usually occurring in the form of pale crystals, much used in the dyeing and tanning trade and in certain medicines, and now understood to be a double sulphate of potassium and aluminium (K₂SO₄·Al₂(SO₄)₃·24H₂O).
- Any similar double sulphate in which either or both of the potassium and aluminium is wholly or partly replaced by other univalent or tervalent cations.
- A past attendee or graduate (of any gender) of a college, university or other educational institution.
- To steep in, or otherwise impregnate with, a solution of alum; to treat with alum.
Where does alum come from?
From Middle English alum, alym, alyme, from Anglo-Norman alum, alun, from Latin alūmen.
Questions about saying alum
How do you pronounce alum?
Say AL-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈæləm/. In British English it is /ˈæləm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alum?
Alum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL). Broken into parts: AL · um.
Do Americans and Brits say alum the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæləm/ and the British form is /ˈæləm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.