How to pronounce excelsior
Say it like ek-SEL-see-er. Excelsior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce excelsior. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ek
- SEL
- see
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Excelsior pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ekKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- SELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of excelsior
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ek-SEL-see-aw.
What does excelsior mean?
- Onward; a rallying cry for progress.
- A greeting, farewell or acclamation.
- The size of type between Norse and brilliant, standardized as 3-point.
- Stuffing material (as for furniture and mattresses) made of slender, curled woodshavings, as a substitute for hair.
Where does excelsior come from?
From Latin excelsior, comparative of excelsus (“high”).
Questions about saying excelsior
How do you pronounce excelsior?
Say ek-SEL-see-er. The American pronunciation is /ɛkˈsɛlsiɚ/. In British English it is /ɛkˈsɛlsiɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in excelsior?
Excelsior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEL). Broken into parts: ek · SEL · see · er.
Is excelsior pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɛkˈsɛlsiɔː/ (ek-SEL-see-aw).