How to pronounce ess
Say it like ES. Ess is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ess. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ess pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of ess
American and British speakers say ess in essentially the same way: /ɛs/ in the US and /ɛs/ in the UK.
British respelling: ES.
What does ess mean?
- The name of the Latin script letter S/s.
- Something shaped like the letter S. (See esses)
- To move in a changing direction, forming the shape of a letter S.
Words that rhyme with ess
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ess.
Words that sound like ess
- 's
Questions about saying ess
How do you pronounce ess?
Say ES. The American pronunciation is /ɛs/. In British English it is /ɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ess?
Ess is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: ES.
Do Americans and Brits say ess the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɛs/ and the British form is /ɛs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as ess?
Ess sounds the same as 's in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.