How to pronounce electric
Say it like ih-LEK-trik. Electric has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce electric. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- LEK
- trik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Electric pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- trikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of electric
American and British speakers say electric in essentially the same way: /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/ in the US and /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-LEK-trik.
What does electric mean?
- using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity“electric current”“electric wiring”
- (of a situation) exceptionally tense“an atmosphere electric with suspicion”
- affected by emotion as if by electricity; thrilling“gave an electric reading of the play”“the new leader had a galvanic effect on morale”
- a car that is powered by electricity
Where does electric come from?
First attested in c. 1646 in a publication by Thomas Browne.
Questions about saying electric
How do you pronounce electric?
Say ih-LEK-trik. The American pronunciation is /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/. In British English it is /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in electric?
Electric has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEK). Broken into parts: ih · LEK · trik.
Do Americans and Brits say electric the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/ and the British form is /ɪˈlɛktrɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.