How to pronounce complication
Say it like kahm-pluh-KAY-shun. Complication has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce complication. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahm
- pluh
- KAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Complication pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahmGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KAYSay 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 complication
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kom-plih-KAY-shun.
What does complication mean?
- The act or process of complicating.
- The state of being complicated; intricate or confused relation of parts; complexity.
- A person who doesn't fit in with the main scheme of things; an interloper.
Where does complication come from?
Borrowed from Middle French complication, from Latin complicatio, complicationem.
Words that rhyme with complication
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of complication.
Questions about saying complication
How do you pronounce complication?
Say kahm-pluh-KAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑmpləˈkeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in complication?
Complication has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY). Broken into parts: kahm · pluh · KAY · shun.
Is complication 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 /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/ (kom-plih-KAY-shun).