How to pronounce commendation
Say it like kah-mun-DAY-shun. Commendation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce commendation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kah
- mun
- DAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commendation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DAYSay 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 commendation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kom-un-DAY-shun.
What does commendation mean?
- The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words; recommendation.“letter of commendation”
- That which is the ground of approbation or praise.
- A message of affection or respect; compliments; greeting.
Where does commendation come from?
From Middle English commendacioun, from Old French commendacion (“approval, praise”), from Latin commendatio (“recommendation, commendation”), from commendare.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with commendation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of commendation.
Questions about saying commendation
How do you pronounce commendation?
Say kah-mun-DAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑmənˈdeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒmənˈdeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commendation?
Commendation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DAY). Broken into parts: kah · mun · DAY · shun.
Is commendation 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 /ˌkɒmənˈdeɪʃən/ (kom-un-DAY-shun).