How to pronounce condescension
Say it like kon-dee-SEN-shun. Condescension has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce condescension. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kon
- dee
- SEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Condescension pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- konKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of condescension
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-dee-SEN-shun.
What does condescension mean?
- The act of condescending; a manner of behaving in an outwardly polite way that nevertheless implies superiority to another; patronizing courtesy toward inferiors.“Conscious condescension breeds panderers and enemies, not friends.”
Where does condescension come from?
From Latin condēscēnsiō.
Words that rhyme with condescension
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of condescension.
Questions about saying condescension
How do you pronounce condescension?
Say kon-dee-SEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /kɑndiˈsɛnʃən/. In British English it is /kɒndiˈsɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in condescension?
Condescension has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEN). Broken into parts: kon · dee · SEN · shun.
Is condescension 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 /kɒndiˈsɛnʃən/ (kon-dee-SEN-shun).