How to pronounce baptism
Say it like BAP-tih-zum. Baptism has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce baptism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAP
- tih
- zum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Baptism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- zumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of baptism
American and British speakers say baptism in essentially the same way: /ˈbæptɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈbæpˌtɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAP-tiz-um.
What does baptism mean?
- a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth“most churches baptize infants but some insist on adult baptism”
Questions about saying baptism
How do you pronounce baptism?
Say BAP-tih-zum. The American pronunciation is /ˈbæptɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈbæpˌtɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in baptism?
Baptism has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAP). Broken into parts: BAP · tih · zum.
Do Americans and Brits say baptism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbæptɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈbæpˌtɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.