How to pronounce cannibalism
Say it like KAN-uh-buh-liz-um. Cannibalism has five 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 cannibalism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAN
- uh
- buh
- liz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cannibalism 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lizGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cannibalism
American and British speakers say cannibalism in essentially the same way: /ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAN-uh-buh-liz-um.
What does cannibalism mean?
- The act of eating another of one's own species.
- An act in which one thing consumes or takes over another of the same kind.
- In speech, the occurrence of one word eliding part or all of the next word, because the syllables are the same.
Where does cannibalism come from?
From cannibal + -ism.
Questions about saying cannibalism
How do you pronounce cannibalism?
Say KAN-uh-buh-liz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cannibalism?
Cannibalism has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAN). Broken into parts: KAN · uh · buh · liz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say cannibalism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈkænəbəˌlɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.