How to pronounce emphysema
Say it like em-fih-SEE-muh. Emphysema has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce emphysema. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- em
- fih
- SEE
- muh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Emphysema pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- emGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of emphysema
American and British speakers say emphysema in essentially the same way: /ˌɛmfɪˈsimə/ in the US and /ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə/ in the UK.
British respelling: em-fih-SEE-muh.
What does emphysema mean?
- An abnormal accumulation of air or other gas in tissues, most commonly the lungs.
Words that rhyme with emphysema
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of emphysema.
Questions about saying emphysema
How do you pronounce emphysema?
Say em-fih-SEE-muh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛmfɪˈsimə/. In British English it is /ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in emphysema?
Emphysema has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEE). Broken into parts: em · fih · SEE · muh.
Do Americans and Brits say emphysema the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɛmfɪˈsimə/ and the British form is /ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.