How to pronounce coliseum
Say it like kol-uh-SEE-um. Coliseum has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coliseum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kol
- uh
- SEE
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coliseum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kolGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of coliseum
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kol-uh-SEE-um.
What does coliseum mean?
- A large theater, cinema, or stadium.
- A large, often circular building, for indoor sporting events, exhibitions, concerts, etc.; arena.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with coliseum
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of coliseum.
Questions about saying coliseum
How do you pronounce coliseum?
Say kol-uh-SEE-um. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑləˈsiəm/. In British English it is /ˌkɒləˈsiːəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coliseum?
Coliseum has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEE). Broken into parts: kol · uh · SEE · um.
Is coliseum pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒləˈsiːəm/ (kol-uh-SEE-um).