How to pronounce continent
Say it like KON-tuh-nunt. Continent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce continent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KON
- tuh
- nunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Continent 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.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of continent
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KON-tih-nunt.
What does continent mean?
- one of the large landmasses of the earth“there are seven continents”“pioneers had to cross the continent on foot”
- the European mainland“Englishmen like to visit the Continent but they wouldn't like to live there”
- having control over urination and defecation
Where does continent come from?
Borrowed from Latin continens, noun use of present participle of continēre (“to contain”).
Questions about saying continent
How do you pronounce continent?
Say KON-tuh-nunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑntənənt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒntɪnənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in continent?
Continent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KON). Broken into parts: KON · tuh · nunt.
Is continent 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 /ˈkɒntɪnənt/ (KON-tih-nunt).