How to pronounce barbarism
Say it like BAR-buh-riz-um. Barbarism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce barbarism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAR
- buh
- riz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Barbarism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rizGive 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 barbarism
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: BAH-buh-rih-zum.
What does barbarism mean?
- A barbaric act.“These barbarisms can not be allowed to continue; they must be crushed or civilization will collapse.”
- The condition of existing barbarically.
- A word hybridizing Ancient Greek and Latin or other heterogeneous roots.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying barbarism
How do you pronounce barbarism?
Say BAR-buh-riz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɑrbəˌrɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈbɑːbərɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in barbarism?
Barbarism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAR). Broken into parts: BAR · buh · riz · um.
Is barbarism pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbɑːbərɪzəm/ (BAH-buh-rih-zum).