How to pronounce basement
Say it like BAY-smunt. Basement has two 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 basement. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAY
- smunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Basement 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.
- smuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of basement
American and British speakers say basement in essentially the same way: /ˈbeɪsmənt/ in the US and /ˈbeɪsmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAY-smunt.
What does basement mean?
- the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
- the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture
Where does basement come from?
From base + -ment.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with basement
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of basement.
Questions about saying basement
How do you pronounce basement?
Say BAY-smunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈbeɪsmənt/. In British English it is /ˈbeɪsmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in basement?
Basement has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAY). Broken into parts: BAY · smunt.
Do Americans and Brits say basement the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbeɪsmənt/ and the British form is /ˈbeɪsmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.