How to pronounce commissary
Say it like KAH-mih-ser-ee. Commissary 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 commissary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAH
- mih
- ser
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commissary 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.
- mihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- serGive 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 commissary
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-ih-suh-ree.
What does commissary mean?
- A store primarily serving persons in an institution, most often soldiers or prisoners.
- An account which a prisoner uses to buy provisions, or the balance of that account.
- A cafeteria at a television or movie studio.
Where does commissary come from?
From Late Latin commissarius, from commissus, past participle of committō (“to commit, entrust to”).
Questions about saying commissary
How do you pronounce commissary?
Say KAH-mih-ser-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmɪˌsɛri/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmɪsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commissary?
Commissary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAH). Broken into parts: KAH · mih · ser · ee.
Is commissary 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 /ˈkɒmɪsəri/ (KOM-ih-suh-ree).