How to pronounce commentary
Say it like KAH-mun-ter-ee. Commentary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce commentary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAH
- mun
- ter
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commentary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- terGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of commentary
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-un-tuh-ree.
What does commentary mean?
- a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material“he wrote an extended comment on the proposal”
Where does commentary come from?
From Middle French commentaire, from Latin commentārius, commentārium (“notebook”), compare French commentaire.
Questions about saying commentary
How do you pronounce commentary?
Say KAH-mun-ter-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmənˌtɛri/. In British English it is /ˈkɒməntəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commentary?
Commentary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH). Broken into parts: KAH · mun · ter · ee.
Is commentary 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 /ˈkɒməntəri/ (KOM-un-tuh-ree).