How to pronounce emissary
Say it like EM-ih-ser-ee. Emissary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce emissary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EM
- ih
- ser
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Emissary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- serGive 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.
American vs British pronunciation of emissary
American and British speakers say emissary in essentially the same way: /ˈɛmɪˌsɛri/ in the US and /ˈɛmɪsəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: EM-ih-suh-ree.
What does emissary mean?
- An agent sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else.
- Such an agent spreading a gospel.
- A venous channel in the skull.
Where does emissary come from?
From French émissaire, from Latin emissarius (“agent, scout, spy”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying emissary
How do you pronounce emissary?
Say EM-ih-ser-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛmɪˌsɛri/. In British English it is /ˈɛmɪsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in emissary?
Emissary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EM). Broken into parts: EM · ih · ser · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say emissary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛmɪˌsɛri/ and the British form is /ˈɛmɪsəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.