How to pronounce anathema
Say it like uh-NATH-uh-muh. Anathema has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NATH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce anathema. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- NATH
- uh
- muh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Anathema 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.
- NATHSay 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.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of anathema
American and British speakers say anathema in essentially the same way: /əˈnæθəmə/ in the US and /əˈnæθəmə/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-NATH-uh-muh.
What does anathema mean?
- Something which is vehemently disliked by somebody.
- An imprecation; a curse; a malediction.
- Any person or thing anathematized, or cursed by ecclesiastical authority to unending punishment.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying anathema
How do you pronounce anathema?
Say uh-NATH-uh-muh. The American pronunciation is /əˈnæθəmə/. In British English it is /əˈnæθəmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in anathema?
Anathema has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NATH). Broken into parts: uh · NATH · uh · muh.
Do Americans and Brits say anathema the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈnæθəmə/ and the British form is /əˈnæθəmə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.