How to pronounce compress
Say it like kum-PRES. Compress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PRES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compress 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.
- PRESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of compress
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
British respelling: KOM-pres.
Other ways to say compress
Compress also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KAHM-pres /ˈkɑmprɛs/
What does compress mean?
- To make smaller; to press or squeeze together, or to make something occupy a smaller space or volume.“The force required to compress a spring varies linearly with the displacement.”
- To be pressed together or folded by compression into a more economic, easier format.“Our new model compresses easily, ideal for storage and travel”
- To condense into a more economic, easier format.“This chart compresses the entire audit report into a few lines on a single diagram.”
- A multiply folded piece of cloth, a pouch of ice, etc., used to apply to a patient's skin, cover the dressing of wounds, and placed with the aid of a bandage to apply pressure on an injury.“He held a cold compress over the sprain.”
- A machine for compressing.
Where does compress come from?
From Middle English compressen, from Old French compresser, from Late Latin compressare (“to press hard/together”), from Latin compressus, the past participle of comprimō (“to compress”), itself from com- (“together”) + premō (“press”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with compress
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of compress.
Questions about saying compress
How do you pronounce compress?
Say kum-PRES. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈprɛs/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmprɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compress?
Compress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRES). Broken into parts: kum · PRES.
Is compress pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈkɒmprɛs/ (KOM-pres).