How to pronounce elegance
Say it like EL-uh-guns. Elegance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce elegance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EL
- uh
- guns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elegance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- gunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of elegance
American and British speakers say elegance in essentially the same way: /ˈɛləɡəns/ in the US and /ˈɛləɡəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: EL-uh-guns.
What does elegance mean?
- Grace, refinement, and beauty in movement, appearance, or manners.“The bride was elegance personified.”
- Restraint and grace of style.“The simple dress had a quiet elegance.”
- The beauty of an idea characterized by minimalism and intuitiveness while preserving exactness and precision.“The proof of the theorem had a pleasing elegance.”
Where does elegance come from?
From Middle French élégance, from Latin ēlegantia (“exquisiteness; refinement, elegance”).
Questions about saying elegance
How do you pronounce elegance?
Say EL-uh-guns. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛləɡəns/. In British English it is /ˈɛləɡəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elegance?
Elegance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL). Broken into parts: EL · uh · guns.
Do Americans and Brits say elegance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛləɡəns/ and the British form is /ˈɛləɡəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.