How to pronounce December
Say it like dih-SEM-ber. December has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce December. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SEM
- ber
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
December pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of December
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-SEM-buh.
What does December mean?
- the last (12th) month of the year
Words that rhyme with December
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of December.
Questions about saying December
How do you pronounce December?
Say dih-SEM-ber. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈsɛmbɚ/. In British English it is /dɪˈsɛmbə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in December?
December has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEM). Broken into parts: dih · SEM · ber.
Is December 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 /dɪˈsɛmbə/ (dih-SEM-buh).