How to pronounce cancer
Say it like KAN-ser. Cancer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cancer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- ser
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cancer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- serKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of cancer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAN-suh.
What does cancer mean?
- any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream
- (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Cancer
- a small zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere; between Leo and Gemini
Words that rhyme with cancer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cancer.
Questions about saying cancer
How do you pronounce cancer?
Say KAN-ser. The American pronunciation is /ˈkænsɚ/. In British English it is /ˈkænsə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cancer?
Cancer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · ser.
Is cancer 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 /ˈkænsə/ (KAN-suh).