How to pronounce bigwig
Say it like BIG-wig. Bigwig has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bigwig. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BIG
- wig
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bigwig pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BIGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- wigGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of bigwig
American and British speakers say bigwig in essentially the same way: /ˈbɪˌɡwɪɡ/ in the US and /ˈbɪˌɡwɪɡ/ in the UK.
British respelling: BIG-wig.
What does bigwig mean?
- A person of importance in a group or organization.“The company bigwig is gathering his staff together for a meeting today.”
Where does bigwig come from?
First arose in the 1730s, from big + wig.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying bigwig
How do you pronounce bigwig?
Say BIG-wig. The American pronunciation is /ˈbɪˌɡwɪɡ/. In British English it is /ˈbɪˌɡwɪɡ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bigwig?
Bigwig has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BIG). Broken into parts: BIG · wig.
Do Americans and Brits say bigwig the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbɪˌɡwɪɡ/ and the British form is /ˈbɪˌɡwɪɡ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.