How to pronounce atrocity
Say it like uh-TRAH-suh-tee. Atrocity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce atrocity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- TRAH
- suh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Atrocity 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.
- TRAHSay 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.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of atrocity
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: uh-TROS-ih-tee.
What does atrocity mean?
- An extremely cruel act; a horrid act of injustice.“to carry out / commit / perpetrate an atrocity”
- The quality or state of being atrocious; enormous wickedness; extreme criminality or cruelty.
- An object considered to be extremely unattractive or undesirable.
Where does atrocity come from?
From Middle French atrocité, from Latin atrōcitās, from atrōx (“terrible, cruel”) + -tās, from āter (“matte black”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with atrocity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of atrocity.
Questions about saying atrocity
How do you pronounce atrocity?
Say uh-TRAH-suh-tee. The American pronunciation is /əˈtrɑsəti/. In British English it is /əˈtrɒsɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in atrocity?
Atrocity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAH). Broken into parts: uh · TRAH · suh · tee.
Is atrocity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /əˈtrɒsɪti/ (uh-TROS-ih-tee).