How to pronounce circumlocutory
Say it like sur-kum-loh-KYOO-ter-ee. Circumlocutory has six 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 circumlocutory. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sur
- kum
- loh
- KYOO
- ter
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circumlocutory pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- surKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- KYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of circumlocutory
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: sur-kum-loh-KYOO-tuh-ree.
What does circumlocutory mean?
- Characterised by circumlocution; overly wordy
Where does circumlocutory come from?
From circumlocution + -ory; compare Medieval Latin circumlocūtōrius from Classical Latin circumlocūtiō.
Questions about saying circumlocutory
How do you pronounce circumlocutory?
Say sur-kum-loh-KYOO-ter-ee. The American pronunciation is /sɝkəmloʊˈkjutɚi/. In British English it is /sɜːkəmləʊˈkjuːtəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circumlocutory?
Circumlocutory has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (KYOO). Broken into parts: sur · kum · loh · KYOO · ter · ee.
Is circumlocutory 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 /sɜːkəmləʊˈkjuːtəri/ (sur-kum-loh-KYOO-tuh-ree).