How to pronounce commencement
Say it like kuh-MEN-smunt. Commencement has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce commencement. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- MEN
- smunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commencement pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- smuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of commencement
American and British speakers say commencement in essentially the same way: /kəˈmɛnsmənt/ in the US and /kəˈmɛnsmənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: kuh-MEN-smunt.
What does commencement mean?
- The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; the beginning.“The time of Henry VII nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed modern history.”
- The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
- A graduation ceremony, from a school, college or university. Sometimes before the actual graduation.
Where does commencement come from?
From French commencement; analyzable as commence + -ment.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying commencement
How do you pronounce commencement?
Say kuh-MEN-smunt. The American pronunciation is /kəˈmɛnsmənt/. In British English it is /kəˈmɛnsmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commencement?
Commencement has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MEN). Broken into parts: kuh · MEN · smunt.
Do Americans and Brits say commencement the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəˈmɛnsmənt/ and the British form is /kəˈmɛnsmənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.