How to pronounce bioluminescence
Say it like by-oh-loo-muh-NES-uns. Bioluminescence has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (NES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bioluminescence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- by
- oh
- loo
- muh
- NES
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bioluminescence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- byGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- looGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bioluminescence
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: by-oh-loo-muh-NES-uns.
What does bioluminescence mean?
- The emission of light by a living organism (such as a firefly).
Where does bioluminescence come from?
From bio- + luminescence.
Words that rhyme with bioluminescence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bioluminescence.
- essence
- adolescence
- fluorescence
- obsolescence
- inflorescence
- senescence
- acquiescence
- convalescence
- evanescence
- quintessence
Questions about saying bioluminescence
How do you pronounce bioluminescence?
Say by-oh-loo-muh-NES-uns. The American pronunciation is /ˌbaɪoʊˌluməˈnɛsəns/. In British English it is /ˌbaɪəʊˌluːməˈnɛsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bioluminescence?
Bioluminescence has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (NES). Broken into parts: by · oh · loo · muh · NES · uns.
Is bioluminescence pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌbaɪəʊˌluːməˈnɛsəns/ (by-oh-loo-muh-NES-uns).