How to pronounce ascent
Say it like uh-SENT. Ascent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SENT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ascent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- SENT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ascent 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.
- SENTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of ascent
American and British speakers say ascent in essentially the same way: /əˈsɛnt/ in the US and /əˈsɛnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-SENT.
What does ascent mean?
- The act of ascending; a motion upwards.“He made a tedious ascent of Mont Blanc.”
- The way or means by which one ascends.“There is a difficult northern ascent from Malaucene of Mont Ventoux.”
- An eminence, hill, or high place.
Where does ascent come from?
Formed from ascend on the model of descend/descent.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with ascent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ascent.
Words that sound like ascent
Questions about saying ascent
How do you pronounce ascent?
Say uh-SENT. The American pronunciation is /əˈsɛnt/. In British English it is /əˈsɛnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ascent?
Ascent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SENT). Broken into parts: uh · SENT.
Do Americans and Brits say ascent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈsɛnt/ and the British form is /əˈsɛnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as ascent?
Ascent sounds the same as assent in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.