How to pronounce bailiwick
Say it like BAY-lih-wik. Bailiwick has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bailiwick. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAY
- lih
- wik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bailiwick pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- wikGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of bailiwick
American and British speakers say bailiwick in essentially the same way: /ˈbeɪlɪˌwɪk/ in the US and /ˈbeɪlɪˌwɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAY-lih-wik.
What does bailiwick mean?
- The district within which a bailie or bailiff has jurisdiction.“The Bailiwick of Jersey.”
- A person's concern or sphere of operations, their area of skill or authority.
Where does bailiwick come from?
From bailie (“bailiff”) and wick (“dwelling”), from Old English wīc.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying bailiwick
How do you pronounce bailiwick?
Say BAY-lih-wik. The American pronunciation is /ˈbeɪlɪˌwɪk/. In British English it is /ˈbeɪlɪˌwɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bailiwick?
Bailiwick has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAY). Broken into parts: BAY · lih · wik.
Do Americans and Brits say bailiwick the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbeɪlɪˌwɪk/ and the British form is /ˈbeɪlɪˌwɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.