How to pronounce contagion
Say it like kun-TAY-jun. Contagion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contagion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TAY
- jun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contagion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- junKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contagion
American and British speakers say contagion in essentially the same way: /kənˈteɪdʒən/ in the US and /kənˈteɪdʒən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TAY-jun.
What does contagion mean?
- A disease spread by contact.
- The spread or transmission of such a disease.
- The passing on of manners or behavior through a closed community or household.
Where does contagion come from?
From Middle English (late 14th century), from Old French, from Latin contāgiō (“a touching, contact, contagion”) related to contingō (“touch closely”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying contagion
How do you pronounce contagion?
Say kun-TAY-jun. The American pronunciation is /kənˈteɪdʒən/. In British English it is /kənˈteɪdʒən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contagion?
Contagion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY). Broken into parts: kun · TAY · jun.
Do Americans and Brits say contagion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈteɪdʒən/ and the British form is /kənˈteɪdʒən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.