How to pronounce circumference
Say it like sur-KUHM-fruns. Circumference has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce circumference. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sur
- KUHM
- fruns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circumference pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- surGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- KUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- frunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of circumference
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sur-KUHM-fruns.
What does circumference mean?
- The line that bounds a circle or other two-dimensional figure.
- The length of such a line.
- The length of the longest cycle of a graph.
Where does circumference come from?
From Latin circumferentia, from circum (“around”) + ferō (“to carry”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying circumference
How do you pronounce circumference?
Say sur-KUHM-fruns. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɝˈkʌmfrəns/. In British English it is /sɜːˈkʌmfrəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circumference?
Circumference has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHM). Broken into parts: sur · KUHM · fruns.
Is circumference 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 /sɜːˈkʌmfrəns/ (sur-KUHM-fruns).