How to pronounce criterion
Say it like kry-TIR-ee-un. Criterion has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce criterion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kry
- TIR
- ee
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Criterion pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kryKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- TIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of criterion
American and British speakers say criterion in essentially the same way: /kraɪˈtɪriən/ in the US and /kraɪˈtɪəriən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kry-TEER-ree-un.
What does criterion mean?
- A standard, test, or requirement by which individual things or people may be compared and judged; a gauge.“criterion of choice, of decision, of selection”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying criterion
How do you pronounce criterion?
Say kry-TIR-ee-un. The American pronunciation is /kraɪˈtɪriən/. In British English it is /kraɪˈtɪəriən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in criterion?
Criterion has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIR). Broken into parts: kry · TIR · ee · un.
Do Americans and Brits say criterion the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kraɪˈtɪriən/ and the British form is /kraɪˈtɪəriən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.