How to pronounce autism
Say it like AW-tiz-um. Autism has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce autism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AW
- tiz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Autism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tizGive 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 autism
American and British speakers say autism in essentially the same way: /ˈɔˌtɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈɔːtɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: AW-tih-zum.
What does autism mean?
- (psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people
Where does autism come from?
Borrowed from German Autismus, coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, first usage dated to 1907 attributed by Carl Jung as an alternative of his for "auto-erotism", although Bleuler himself differentiates the terms in his book Dementia
Questions about saying autism
How do you pronounce autism?
Say AW-tiz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔˌtɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈɔːtɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in autism?
Autism has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AW). Broken into parts: AW · tiz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say autism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɔˌtɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈɔːtɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.