How to pronounce century
Say it like SEN-chuh-ree. Century has three 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 century. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEN
- chuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Century 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.
- chuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of century
American and British speakers say century in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛntʃəri/ in the US and /ˈsɛntʃəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEN-chuh-ree.
What does century mean?
- a period of 100 years
- ten 10s
Where does century come from?
From Middle English centurie (“a count of one hundred (of anything); a division of the Roman army; century; a division of land”), from Old French centurie, from Latin centuria, from centum (“one hundred”).
Words that rhyme with century
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of century.
Questions about saying century
How do you pronounce century?
Say SEN-chuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛntʃəri/. In British English it is /ˈsɛntʃəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in century?
Century has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN). Broken into parts: SEN · chuh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say century the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛntʃəri/ and the British form is /ˈsɛntʃəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.