How to pronounce complacency
Say it like kum-PLAY-sun-see. Complacency has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce complacency. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PLAY
- sun
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Complacency pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- sunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of complacency
American and British speakers say complacency in essentially the same way: /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/ in the US and /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PLAY-sun-see.
What does complacency mean?
- A feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble.
- An instance of self-satisfaction.
- Passivity as a result of contentment with the current situation.
Where does complacency come from?
Late Middle English complacence, from Late Latin complacentia.
Words that rhyme with complacency
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of complacency.
Questions about saying complacency
How do you pronounce complacency?
Say kum-PLAY-sun-see. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/. In British English it is /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in complacency?
Complacency has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLAY). Broken into parts: kum · PLAY · sun · see.
Do Americans and Brits say complacency the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/ and the British form is /kəmˈpleɪsənsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.