How to pronounce exemplary
Say it like ig-ZEM-pluh-ree. Exemplary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce exemplary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ig
- ZEM
- pluh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Exemplary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- igKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- pluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of exemplary
American and British speakers say exemplary in essentially the same way: /ɪɡˈzɛmpləri/ in the US and /ɪɡˈzɛmpləri/ in the UK.
British respelling: ig-ZEM-pluh-ree.
What does exemplary mean?
- Deserving honor, respect and admiration.
- Of such high quality that it should serve as an example to be imitated; ideal, perfect.“Her behavior was always exemplary.”
- Serving as a warning; monitory.“exemplary justice, exemplary punishment, exemplary damages”
Where does exemplary come from?
From Middle English exemplarie, from Latin exemplāris (“exemplary; a copy, facsimile”), from exemplum (“an example; a sample; a copy or transcript”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying exemplary
How do you pronounce exemplary?
Say ig-ZEM-pluh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ɪɡˈzɛmpləri/. In British English it is /ɪɡˈzɛmpləri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in exemplary?
Exemplary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZEM). Broken into parts: ig · ZEM · pluh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say exemplary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪɡˈzɛmpləri/ and the British form is /ɪɡˈzɛmpləri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.