How to pronounce contumacious
Say it like kahn-tuu-MAY-shus. Contumacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contumacious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kahn
- tuu
- MAY
- shus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contumacious 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.
- tuuKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- MAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contumacious
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kon-tyuu-MAY-shus.
What does contumacious mean?
- Contemptuous of authority; willfully disobedient; rebellious.
- Willfully disobedient to the summons or orders of a court.
Where does contumacious come from?
From Latin contumāx (“stubborn, obstinate”) + -ious.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with contumacious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contumacious.
Questions about saying contumacious
How do you pronounce contumacious?
Say kahn-tuu-MAY-shus. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑntʊˈmeɪʃəs/. In British English it is /ˌkɒntjʊˈmeɪʃəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contumacious?
Contumacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MAY). Broken into parts: kahn · tuu · MAY · shus.
Is contumacious 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 /ˌkɒntjʊˈmeɪʃəs/ (kon-tyuu-MAY-shus).