How to pronounce circumlocutionary
Say it like sur-kum-luh-KYOO-shuh-ner-ee. Circumlocutionary has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (KYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce circumlocutionary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sur
- kum
- luh
- KYOO
- shuh
- ner
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circumlocutionary 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.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of circumlocutionary
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sur-kum-luh-KYOO-shuh-nuh-ree.
What does circumlocutionary mean?
- Articulated in a roundabout manner; tautological or with repetitive language.“The old man's rambling yarn was circumlocutionary.”
- Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points.
Where does circumlocutionary come from?
From circumlocution + -ary.
Words that rhyme with circumlocutionary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of circumlocutionary.
Questions about saying circumlocutionary
How do you pronounce circumlocutionary?
Say sur-kum-luh-KYOO-shuh-ner-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɝkəmləˈkjuʃəˌnɛri/. In British English it is /ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃənəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circumlocutionary?
Circumlocutionary has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (KYOO). Broken into parts: sur · kum · luh · KYOO · shuh · ner · ee.
Is circumlocutionary 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 /ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃənəri/ (sur-kum-luh-KYOO-shuh-nuh-ree).