How to pronounce consternation
Say it like kahn-ster-NAY-shun. Consternation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce consternation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- ster
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Consternation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sterKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- NAYSay 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 consternation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-stuh-NAY-shun.
What does consternation mean?
- Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
Where does consternation come from?
From French consternation, from Latin consternātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with consternation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of consternation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying consternation
How do you pronounce consternation?
Say kahn-ster-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑnstɚˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in consternation?
Consternation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: kahn · ster · NAY · shun.
Is consternation pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌkɒnstəˈneɪʃən/ (kon-stuh-NAY-shun).