How to pronounce commerce
Say it like KOM-ers. Commerce has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce commerce. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOM
- ers
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commerce pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ersKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of commerce
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-urs.
What does commerce mean?
- transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
- the United States federal department that promotes and administers domestic and foreign trade (including management of the census and the patent office); created in 1913
- social exchange, especially of opinions, attitudes, etc.
Where does commerce come from?
Borrowed from Middle French commerce, from Latin commercium.
Questions about saying commerce
How do you pronounce commerce?
Say KOM-ers. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmɚs/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmɜːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commerce?
Commerce has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM). Broken into parts: KOM · ers.
Is commerce pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkɒmɜːs/ (KOM-urs).