How to pronounce circumstances
Say it like SUR-kum-stan-suz. Circumstances has four 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 circumstances. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- kum
- stan
- suz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Circumstances 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.
- stanGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- suzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of circumstances
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: SUR-kum-stahn-siz.
What does circumstances mean?
- your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)“whatever my fortune may be”“deserved a better fate”
- a person's financial situation (good or bad)“he found himself in straitened circumstances”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying circumstances
How do you pronounce circumstances?
Say SUR-kum-stan-suz. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝkəmˌstænsəz/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːkəmˌstɑːnsɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in circumstances?
Circumstances has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · kum · stan · suz.
Is circumstances 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 /ˈsɜːkəmˌstɑːnsɪz/ (SUR-kum-stahn-siz).