How to pronounce dictionaryese
Say it like DIK-shuh-ner-ee-eez. Dictionaryese has five 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 dictionaryese. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIK
- shuh
- ner
- ee
- eez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dictionaryese 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.
- eezGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of dictionaryese
American and British speakers say dictionaryese in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛriˌiz/ in the US and /ˈdɪkʃəˌnərɪˈiːz/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIK-shuh-nuh-rih-EEZ.
What does dictionaryese mean?
- The style of language used in dictionary definitions, characterized by dry, straightforward, and occasionally awkward phrasing.
Where does dictionaryese come from?
From dictionary + -ese (suffix denoting jargon used in a particular context).
Questions about saying dictionaryese
How do you pronounce dictionaryese?
Say DIK-shuh-ner-ee-eez. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛriˌiz/. In British English it is /ˈdɪkʃəˌnərɪˈiːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dictionaryese?
Dictionaryese has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIK). Broken into parts: DIK · shuh · ner · ee · eez.
Do Americans and Brits say dictionaryese the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛriˌiz/ and the British form is /ˈdɪkʃəˌnərɪˈiːz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.