How to pronounce binary
Say it like BY-nuh-ree. Binary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY).
- BY
- nuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Binary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of binary
American and British speakers say binary in essentially the same way: /ˈbaɪnəri/ in the US and /ˈbaɪnəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: BY-nuh-ree.
What does binary mean?
- Being in one of two mutually exclusive states.“Binary states are often represented as 1 and 0 in computer science.”
- Concerning logic whose subject matter concerns such states.
- Concerning numbers and calculations using the binary number system.
- A state in which only two values are possible, in which something must have one value or the other.
- The bijective base-2 numeral system, which uses only the digits 0 and 1.
Where does binary come from?
Inherited from Middle English binarie.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with binary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of binary.
Questions about saying binary
How do you pronounce binary?
Say BY-nuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈbaɪnəri/. In British English it is /ˈbaɪnəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in binary?
Binary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY). Broken into parts: BY · nuh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say binary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbaɪnəri/ and the British form is /ˈbaɪnəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.