How to pronounce dictionary
Say it like DIK-shuh-ner-ee. Dictionary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dictionary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIK
- shuh
- ner
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dictionary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of dictionary
American and British speakers say dictionary in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri/ in the US and /ˈdɪkʃənəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIK-shuh-nuh-ree.
What does dictionary mean?
- a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
Where does dictionary come from?
From Middle English dixionare, a learned borrowing from Medieval Latin dictiōnārium, from Latin dictiōnārius, from dictiō (“a speaking”), from dictus, perfect past participle of dīcō (“to speak”) + -ārium (“room, place”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying dictionary
How do you pronounce dictionary?
Say DIK-shuh-ner-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri/. In British English it is /ˈdɪkʃənəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dictionary?
Dictionary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIK). Broken into parts: DIK · shuh · ner · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say dictionary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri/ and the British form is /ˈdɪkʃənəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.