How to pronounce efficacious
Say it like ef-uh-KAY-shus. Efficacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce efficacious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ef
- uh
- KAY
- shus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Efficacious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- efGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of efficacious
American and British speakers say efficacious in essentially the same way: /ˌɛfəˈkeɪʃəs/ in the US and /ˌɛfɪˈkeɪʃəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: ef-ih-KAY-shus.
What does efficacious mean?
- Effective; possessing efficacy.“This medicine is efficacious.”
Where does efficacious come from?
From Old French efficacieux (whence -acious), from Latin efficāx (“efficacious”) + -ous, from efficere (“to effect, to accomplish”); see effect.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with efficacious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of efficacious.
Questions about saying efficacious
How do you pronounce efficacious?
Say ef-uh-KAY-shus. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛfəˈkeɪʃəs/. In British English it is /ˌɛfɪˈkeɪʃəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in efficacious?
Efficacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY). Broken into parts: ef · uh · KAY · shus.
Do Americans and Brits say efficacious the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛfəˈkeɪʃəs/ and the British form is /ˌɛfɪˈkeɪʃəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.