How to pronounce essay
Say it like ES-ay. Essay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce essay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ES
- ay
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Essay 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.
- ayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of essay
American and British speakers say essay in essentially the same way: /ˈɛˌseɪ/ in the US and /ˈɛˌseɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: ES-ay.
Other ways to say essay
Essay also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- eh-SAY /ɛˈseɪ/
What does essay mean?
- an analytic or interpretive literary composition
- a tentative attempt
- make an effort or attempt“He tried to shake off his fears”“The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps”
- put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to“This approach has been tried with good results”“Test this recipe”
Where does essay come from?
Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai (“essay”), meaning coined by Montaigne at the same time, from the same words with the earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assa
Questions about saying essay
How do you pronounce essay?
Say ES-ay. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛˌseɪ/. In British English it is /ˈɛˌseɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in essay?
Essay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ES). Broken into parts: ES · ay.
Do Americans and Brits say essay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛˌseɪ/ and the British form is /ˈɛˌseɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.