How to pronounce contemplation
Say it like kahn-tum-PLAY-shun. Contemplation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PLAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contemplation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- tum
- PLAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contemplation 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.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLAYSay 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 contemplation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-tum-PLAY-shun.
What does contemplation mean?
- The act of contemplating; being highly concentrated in thought; musing.
- Holy meditation.
- The act of looking forward to a future event.
Where does contemplation come from?
From Middle English contemplacioun, from Old French contemplation, from Latin contemplatio.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contemplation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contemplation.
Questions about saying contemplation
How do you pronounce contemplation?
Say kahn-tum-PLAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntəmˈpleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntəmˈpleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contemplation?
Contemplation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (PLAY). Broken into parts: kahn · tum · PLAY · shun.
Is contemplation 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 /ˌkɒntəmˈpleɪʃən/ (kon-tum-PLAY-shun).