How to pronounce calumny
Say it like KAL-um-nee. Calumny has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce calumny. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAL
- um
- nee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Calumny pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of calumny
American and British speakers say calumny in essentially the same way: /ˈkæləmni/ in the US and /ˈkæləmni/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAL-um-nee.
What does calumny mean?
- A false accusation or charge brought to tarnish another's reputation or standing.
- Falsifications or misrepresentations intended to disparage or discredit another.“Accusations of abuse were pure extortive calumny in a malicious bid to make money.”
- To make false accusations or levy false charges against a person with the intent to tarnish that person's reputation or standing; to calumniate.
Where does calumny come from?
The verb is derived from French calomnier (“to slander”), from Late Latin calumniāre, from Latin calumpniārī, calumniārī (“to blame unjustly, misrepresent, calumniate; (law) to accuse falsely, bring false information against”), from calumnia (see above) + -or.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying calumny
How do you pronounce calumny?
Say KAL-um-nee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkæləmni/. In British English it is /ˈkæləmni/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in calumny?
Calumny has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAL). Broken into parts: KAL · um · nee.
Do Americans and Brits say calumny the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkæləmni/ and the British form is /ˈkæləmni/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.