How to pronounce arsenic
Say it like AR-suh-nik. Arsenic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce arsenic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈɑrsənɪk/AR-suh-nik
UK British/ˈɑːsənɪk/AH-suh-nik
- AR
- suh
- nik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arsenic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of arsenic
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AH-suh-nik.
What does arsenic mean?
noun
- A toxic gray brittle nonmetallic chemical element (symbol As) with an atomic number of 33.
- A single atom of this element.
- Arsenic trioxide.
- Of or containing arsenic with a valence of 5.
Questions about saying arsenic
How do you pronounce arsenic?
Say AR-suh-nik. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑrsənɪk/. In British English it is /ˈɑːsənɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in arsenic?
Arsenic has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AR). Broken into parts: AR · suh · nik.
Is arsenic pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɑːsənɪk/ (AH-suh-nik).