How to pronounce elegant
Say it like EL-uh-gunt. Elegant 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 elegant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EL
- uh
- gunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Elegant 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.
- guntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of elegant
American and British speakers say elegant in essentially the same way: /ˈɛləɡənt/ in the US and /ˈɛlɪɡənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: EL-ih-gunt.
What does elegant mean?
- refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style“elegant handwriting”“an elegant dark suit”
- suggesting taste, ease, and wealth
- displaying effortless beauty and simplicity in movement or execution“an elegant dancer”“an elegant mathematical solution -- simple and precise”
Where does elegant come from?
From Late Middle English elegaunt, from Middle French elegant, ultimately from Latin ēlegāns, collateral form of present participle of ēligere, from ex- (“out of, from”) + legō (“choose, select, appoint”).
Questions about saying elegant
How do you pronounce elegant?
Say EL-uh-gunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛləɡənt/. In British English it is /ˈɛlɪɡənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in elegant?
Elegant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EL). Broken into parts: EL · uh · gunt.
Do Americans and Brits say elegant the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛləɡənt/ and the British form is /ˈɛlɪɡənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.