How to pronounce ancillary
Say it like AN-suh-ler-ee. Ancillary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ancillary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AN
- suh
- ler
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ancillary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of ancillary
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: an-SIL-uh-ree.
What does ancillary mean?
- Subordinate; secondary; auxiliary.
- Something that serves an ancillary function, such as an easel for a painter.
Where does ancillary come from?
From Latin ancillāris (“ancillary; relating to female slaves”), from ancilla (“slave-woman”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying ancillary
How do you pronounce ancillary?
Say AN-suh-ler-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈænsəˌlɛri/. In British English it is /ænˈsɪləri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ancillary?
Ancillary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AN). Broken into parts: AN · suh · ler · ee.
Is ancillary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ænˈsɪləri/ (an-SIL-uh-ree).