How to pronounce center
Say it like SEN-ter. Center has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce center. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEN
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Center pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of center
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SEN-tuh.
What does center mean?
- an area that is approximately central within some larger region“it is in the center of town”“they ran forward into the heart of the struggle”
- the piece of ground in the outfield directly ahead of the catcher“he hit the ball to deep center”
- a building dedicated to a particular activity“they were raising money to build a new center for research”
- center upon“Her entire attention centered on her children”“Our day revolved around our work”
- direct one's attention on something“Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies”
- move into the center“That vase in the picture is not centered”
- equally distant from the extremes
- of or belonging to neither the right nor the left politically or intellectually
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with center
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of center.
Words that sound like center
Questions about saying center
How do you pronounce center?
Say SEN-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛntɚ/. In British English it is /ˈsɛntə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in center?
Center has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN). Broken into parts: SEN · ter.
Is center 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 /ˈsɛntə/ (SEN-tuh).
What words sound the same as center?
Center sounds the same as centre in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.