How to pronounce contraction
Say it like kun-TRAK-shun. Contraction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contraction. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TRAK
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contraction 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.
- TRAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contraction
American and British speakers say contraction in essentially the same way: /kənˈtrækʃən/ in the US and /kənˈtrækʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TRAK-shun.
What does contraction mean?
- An act of incurring debt; also (generally), an act of acquiring something (generally negative).“Our contraction of debt in this quarter has reduced our ability to attract investors.”
- The process of contracting or becoming infected with a disease.“the contraction of malaria”
- A stage of wound healing during which the wound edges are gradually pulled together.
Where does contraction come from?
From Late Middle English contraccioun, contraxion (“spasm, contraction; constriction, shrinking; act of pressing together”), from Old French contraction (modern French contraction), from Latin contractiō(n) (“a drawing together, contraction
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with contraction
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contraction.
- reaction
- interaction
- transaction
- satisfaction
- attraction
- fraction
- extraction
- faction
- distraction
- dissatisfaction
Questions about saying contraction
How do you pronounce contraction?
Say kun-TRAK-shun. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtrækʃən/. In British English it is /kənˈtrækʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contraction?
Contraction has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRAK). Broken into parts: kun · TRAK · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say contraction the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtrækʃən/ and the British form is /kənˈtrækʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.