How to pronounce cumbersome
Say it like KUHM-ber-sum. Cumbersome has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cumbersome. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUHM
- ber
- sum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cumbersome pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- sumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cumbersome
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KUHM-buh-sum.
What does cumbersome mean?
- Burdensome or hindering, as if a weight or drag; vexatious.
- Not easily managed or handled; awkward or clumsy.“Cumbersome machines can endanger operators and slow down production.”
- Hard, difficult, and demanding to handle or get around with.“A slave’s work was as cumbersome as toiling on the fields, or in the mines.”
Where does cumbersome come from?
From Middle English cumbyrsum, cummyrsum; equivalent to cumber (“hindrance”) + -some.
Questions about saying cumbersome
How do you pronounce cumbersome?
Say KUHM-ber-sum. The American pronunciation is /ˈkʌmbɚsəm/. In British English it is /ˈkʌmbəsəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cumbersome?
Cumbersome has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHM). Broken into parts: KUHM · ber · sum.
Is cumbersome pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkʌmbəsəm/ (KUHM-buh-sum).