How to pronounce coherence
Say it like koh-HIR-uns. Coherence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coherence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- koh
- HIR
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coherence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- HIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of coherence
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: koh-HEER-runts.
What does coherence mean?
- The quality of cohering, or being coherent; internal consistency.“His arguments lacked coherence.”
- The quality of forming a unified whole.
- A logical arrangement of parts, as in writing.
Where does coherence come from?
From Middle French coherence, from Latin cohaerentia.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with coherence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of coherence.
Questions about saying coherence
How do you pronounce coherence?
Say koh-HIR-uns. The American pronunciation is /koʊˈhɪrəns/. In British English it is /kəʊˈhɪərənts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coherence?
Coherence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HIR). Broken into parts: koh · HIR · uns.
Is coherence pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /kəʊˈhɪərənts/ (koh-HEER-runts).