How to pronounce arena
Say it like uh-REE-nuh. Arena has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce arena. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- REE
- nuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arena 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.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of arena
American and British speakers say arena in essentially the same way: /əˈrinə/ in the US and /əˈriːnə/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-REE-nuh.
What does arena mean?
- a particular environment or walk of life“his social sphere is limited”“it was a closed area of employment”
- the central area of an ancient Roman amphitheater where contests and spectacles were held; especially an area that was strewn with sand
- a large structure for open-air sports or entertainments
Where does arena come from?
Borrowed from Latin arēna (“sand; arena”), from earlier harēna, from Old Latin hasēna, possibly from Etruscan; compare Sabine fasēna.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with arena
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of arena.
Questions about saying arena
How do you pronounce arena?
Say uh-REE-nuh. The American pronunciation is /əˈrinə/. In British English it is /əˈriːnə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in arena?
Arena has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REE). Broken into parts: uh · REE · nuh.
Do Americans and Brits say arena the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈrinə/ and the British form is /əˈriːnə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.