How to pronounce axis
Say it like AK-sus. Axis has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK).
- AK
- sus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Axis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- susKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of axis
American and British speakers say axis in essentially the same way: /ˈæksəs/ in the US and /ˈæksɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: AK-sis.
What does axis mean?
- An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry).“The Earth rotates once a day on its axis”
- A fixed one-dimensional figure, such as a line or arc, with an origin and orientation and such that its points are in one-to-one correspondence with a set of numbers; an axis forms part of the basis of a space or is used to position and locate data in a graph (a coordinate axis)
- The second cervical vertebra of the spine
- A deer native to Asia, of species Axis axis.
Where does axis come from?
Borrowed from Latin axis (“axle, axis”) in the 16th century.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying axis
How do you pronounce axis?
Say AK-sus. The American pronunciation is /ˈæksəs/. In British English it is /ˈæksɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in axis?
Axis has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK). Broken into parts: AK · sus.
Do Americans and Brits say axis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæksəs/ and the British form is /ˈæksɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.