How to pronounce determination
Say it like dih-tur-muh-NAY-shun. Determination has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce determination. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- tur
- muh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Determination 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.
- turGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of determination
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-tur-mih-NAY-shun.
What does determination mean?
- the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation“the determination of molecular structures”
- the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose“his determination showed in his every movement”“he is a man of purpose”
- a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration“a decision unfavorable to the opposition”“his conclusion took the evidence into account”
Where does determination come from?
From Middle English determinacion, determynacioun, from Old French determinacion, from Latin dēterminātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with determination
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of determination.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying determination
How do you pronounce determination?
Say dih-tur-muh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪˌtɝməˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in determination?
Determination has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAY). Broken into parts: dih · tur · muh · NAY · shun.
Is determination 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 /dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən/ (dih-tur-mih-NAY-shun).