How to pronounce attention
Say it like uh-TEN-shun. Attention has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce attention. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- TEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Attention 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.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of attention
American and British speakers say attention in essentially the same way: /əˈtɛnʃən/ in the US and /əˈtɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-TEN-shun.
What does attention mean?
- the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
- the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something“no medical care was required”“the old car needs constant attention”
- a general interest that leads people to want to know more“She was the center of attention”
Where does attention come from?
From Middle English attencioun, borrowed from Latin attentio, attentionis, from attendere, past participle attentus (“to attend, give heed to”); see attend.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with attention
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of attention.
Questions about saying attention
How do you pronounce attention?
Say uh-TEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /əˈtɛnʃən/. In British English it is /əˈtɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in attention?
Attention has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: uh · TEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say attention the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈtɛnʃən/ and the British form is /əˈtɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.