How to pronounce delirium
Say it like dih-LIR-ee-um. Delirium has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce delirium. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- LIR
- ee
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Delirium 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.
- LIRSay 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.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of delirium
American and British speakers say delirium in essentially the same way: /dɪˈlɪriəm/ in the US and /dɪˈlɪriəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-LIR-ee-um.
What does delirium mean?
- A temporary mental state with a sudden onset, usually reversible, including symptoms of confusion, inability to concentrate, disorientation, anxiety, and sometimes hallucinations. Causes can include dehydration, drug intoxication, and severe infection.
- Wild, frenzied excitement or ecstasy.
Where does delirium come from?
Borrowed from Latin dēlīrium (“derangement, madness”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with delirium
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of delirium.
Questions about saying delirium
How do you pronounce delirium?
Say dih-LIR-ee-um. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈlɪriəm/. In British English it is /dɪˈlɪriəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in delirium?
Delirium has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LIR). Broken into parts: dih · LIR · ee · um.
Do Americans and Brits say delirium the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈlɪriəm/ and the British form is /dɪˈlɪriəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.