How to pronounce circumscribe
Say it like SUR-kum-skrybe. Circumscribe has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce circumscribe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- kum
- skrybe
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circumscribe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- skrybeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of circumscribe
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-kum-skrybe.
What does circumscribe mean?
- To draw a line around; to encircle.
- To limit narrowly; to restrict.
- To draw the smallest circle or higher-dimensional sphere that has (a polyhedron, polygon, etc.) in its interior.
Where does circumscribe come from?
From Latin circumscrībō, from circum (“around”) + scrībō (“write”).
Questions about saying circumscribe
How do you pronounce circumscribe?
Say SUR-kum-skrybe. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝkəmskraɪb/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːkəmskraɪb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circumscribe?
Circumscribe has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · kum · skrybe.
Is circumscribe 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 /ˈsɜːkəmskraɪb/ (SUR-kum-skrybe).