How to pronounce chemistry
Say it like KEM-uh-stree. Chemistry has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce chemistry. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KEM
- uh
- stree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Chemistry pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- streeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of chemistry
American and British speakers say chemistry in essentially the same way: /ˈkɛməstri/ in the US and /ˈkɛmɪstri/ in the UK.
British respelling: KEM-ih-stree.
What does chemistry mean?
- the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions
- the chemical composition and properties of a substance or object“the chemistry of soil”
- the way two individuals relate to each other“their chemistry was wrong from the beginning -- they hated each other”“a mysterious alchemy brought them together”
Where does chemistry come from?
First coined 1605, from chemist + -ry.
Questions about saying chemistry
How do you pronounce chemistry?
Say KEM-uh-stree. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɛməstri/. In British English it is /ˈkɛmɪstri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in chemistry?
Chemistry has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEM). Broken into parts: KEM · uh · stree.
Do Americans and Brits say chemistry the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɛməstri/ and the British form is /ˈkɛmɪstri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.