How to pronounce combination
Say it like kahm-buh-NAY-shun. Combination has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
- kahm
- buh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Combination pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahmGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of combination
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kom-bih-NAY-shun.
What does combination mean?
- a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
- a coordinated sequence of chess moves
- a sequence of numbers or letters that opens a combination lock“he forgot the combination to the safe”
Where does combination come from?
From Middle English combinacioun, combynacyoun, from Old French combination, from Late Latin combīnātiō.
Words that rhyme with combination
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of combination.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying combination
How do you pronounce combination?
Say kahm-buh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑmbəˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in combination?
Combination has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: kahm · buh · NAY · shun.
Is combination 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 /ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən/ (kom-bih-NAY-shun).