How to pronounce askance
Say it like uh-SKANS. Askance has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKANS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce askance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- SKANS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Askance 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.
- SKANSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of askance
American and British speakers say askance in essentially the same way: /əˈskæns/ in the US and /əˈskæns/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-SKANS.
What does askance mean?
- Turned to the side, especially of the eyes.
- Of a glance or look: with disapproval, skepticism, or suspicion.“The beggar asked for change, but the haughty woman only looked at him askance.”
- Obliquely, sideways.
- To look at (someone or something) with a sideways glance.
- To turn (one's eye or gaze) to the side.
Where does askance come from?
Unknown. Possibly from Middle English askances (“as if”), or from Old French a escone (“hidden”) or Italian a scancio (“obliquely”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with askance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of askance.
Questions about saying askance
How do you pronounce askance?
Say uh-SKANS. The American pronunciation is /əˈskæns/. In British English it is /əˈskæns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in askance?
Askance has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKANS). Broken into parts: uh · SKANS.
Do Americans and Brits say askance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈskæns/ and the British form is /əˈskæns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.