How to pronounce ambition
Say it like am-BISH-un. Ambition has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ambition. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- am
- BISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ambition pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- amKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- BISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ambition
American and British speakers say ambition in essentially the same way: /æmˈbɪʃən/ in the US and /æmˈbɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: am-BISH-un.
What does ambition mean?
- a cherished desire“his ambition is to own his own business”
- a strong drive for success
- have as one's ambition
Where does ambition come from?
From Middle English ambicioun, from Old French ambition, from Latin ambitiō (“ambition, a striving for favor, literally 'a going around', especially of candidates for office in Rome soliciting votes”), from ambiō (“to go around, solicit votes”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ambition
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ambition.
Questions about saying ambition
How do you pronounce ambition?
Say am-BISH-un. The American pronunciation is /æmˈbɪʃən/. In British English it is /æmˈbɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ambition?
Ambition has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BISH). Broken into parts: am · BISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say ambition the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /æmˈbɪʃən/ and the British form is /æmˈbɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.