How to pronounce biosphere
Say it like BY-ohs-feer. Biosphere 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 biosphere. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BY
- ohs
- feer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Biosphere 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.
- ohsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- feerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of biosphere
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BY-ohs-feer.
What does biosphere mean?
- The part of the Earth and its atmosphere capable of supporting life.
- The totality of living organisms and their environment.
Where does biosphere come from?
Borrowed from German Biosphäre, coined by Austrian geologist Eduard Suess in 1875.
Questions about saying biosphere
How do you pronounce biosphere?
Say BY-ohs-feer. The American pronunciation is /ˈbaɪoʊsˌfɪr/. In British English it is /ˈbaɪəʊsˌfɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in biosphere?
Biosphere has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY). Broken into parts: BY · ohs · feer.
Is biosphere pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbaɪəʊsˌfɪə/ (BY-ohs-feer).