How to pronounce confluence
Say it like KON-floo-uns. Confluence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON).
- KON
- floo
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Confluence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- flooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of confluence
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KON-floo-uns.
What does confluence mean?
- The act of combining that occurs where two rivers meet.“The confluence of the rivers produced a great rush of water.”
- The place where two rivers, streams, or other continuously flowing bodies of water meet and become one, especially where a tributary joins a river.“We encountered an abandoned boat at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.”
- The stream or body formed by the junction of two or more streams; a combined flood.
- To join together into one stream.
Where does confluence come from?
From late Middle English confluence, from Late Latin cōnfluentia (“a flowing together, conflux”), from cōnfluēns (present participle of cōnfluō (“to flow or run together”)) + -ia (nominal suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying confluence
How do you pronounce confluence?
Say KON-floo-uns. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑnfluəns/. In British English it is /ˈkɒnfluəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in confluence?
Confluence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON). Broken into parts: KON · floo · uns.
Is confluence 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 /ˈkɒnfluəns/ (KON-floo-uns).