How to pronounce dichotomous
Say it like dy-KOT-uh-mus. Dichotomous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dichotomous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- KOT
- uh
- mus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dichotomous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- KOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- musKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of dichotomous
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dy-KOT-uh-mus.
What does dichotomous mean?
- Dividing or branching into two mutually exclusive pieces.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dichotomous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dichotomous.
Questions about saying dichotomous
How do you pronounce dichotomous?
Say dy-KOT-uh-mus. The American pronunciation is /daɪˈkɑtəməs/. In British English it is /daɪˈkɒtəməs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dichotomous?
Dichotomous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOT). Broken into parts: dy · KOT · uh · mus.
Is dichotomous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /daɪˈkɒtəməs/ (dy-KOT-uh-mus).