How to pronounce biopsy
Say it like BY-op-see. Biopsy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce biopsy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BY
- op
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Biopsy 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.
- opKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of biopsy
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: BY-op-see.
What does biopsy mean?
- The removal and examination of a sample of tissue, cells, or bodily fluid from a living body for diagnostic purposes.“We will need to perform a biopsy to determine whether the tumor is malignant or benign.”
- To take a sample (a biopsy) for pathological examination.“They biopsied the lump but it turned out to be non-cancerous.”
Where does biopsy come from?
From French biopsie, from bi- + -opsy.
Questions about saying biopsy
How do you pronounce biopsy?
Say BY-op-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈbaɪɑpsi/. In British English it is /ˈbaɪɒpsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in biopsy?
Biopsy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY). Broken into parts: BY · op · see.
Is biopsy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈbaɪɒpsi/ (BY-op-see).