How to pronounce atheism
Say it like AY-thee-iz-um. Atheism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce atheism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AY
- thee
- iz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Atheism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- theeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- izGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of atheism
American and British speakers say atheism in essentially the same way: /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: AY-thee-iz-um.
What does atheism mean?
- Belief that no deities exist (sometimes including rejection of other religious beliefs).
- A lack of belief in deities, or a belief that there is insufficient evidence to believe in a god.
- Absence of belief that any deities exist (including absence of the concept of deities).
Where does atheism come from?
First English attestation dates to 1587 (OED).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying atheism
How do you pronounce atheism?
Say AY-thee-iz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in atheism?
Atheism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AY). Broken into parts: AY · thee · iz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say atheism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈeɪθiˌɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.