How to pronounce basilisk
Say it like BAZ-ih-lisk. Basilisk has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce basilisk. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAZ
- ih
- lisk
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Basilisk pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- liskKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of basilisk
American and British speakers say basilisk in essentially the same way: /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/ in the US and /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAZ-ih-lisk.
What does basilisk mean?
- A mythical snake-like dragon, so venomous that even its gaze is deadly.“the deadly look of the basilisk”
- A type of dragon used in heraldry.
- Any tree-dwelling lizard of the genus Basiliscus: the basilisk lizard.
- Suggesting a basilisk (snake-like dragon): baleful, spellbinding.
Questions about saying basilisk
How do you pronounce basilisk?
Say BAZ-ih-lisk. The American pronunciation is /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/. In British English it is /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in basilisk?
Basilisk has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAZ). Broken into parts: BAZ · ih · lisk.
Do Americans and Brits say basilisk the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/ and the British form is /ˈbæzɪlɪsk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.