How to pronounce ceasefire
Say it like SEES-fy-er. Ceasefire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ceasefire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEES
- fy
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ceasefire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of ceasefire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SEES-fy-uh.
What does ceasefire mean?
- In warfare, an agreed end to hostilities for a specific purpose. (Typically only temporary).“The rebels agreed to a ceasefire while the peace talks were underway.”
Where does ceasefire come from?
From cease + fire.
Questions about saying ceasefire
How do you pronounce ceasefire?
Say SEES-fy-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈsisˌfaɪɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsiːsˌfaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ceasefire?
Ceasefire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEES). Broken into parts: SEES · fy · er.
Is ceasefire 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 /ˈsiːsˌfaɪə/ (SEES-fy-uh).