How to pronounce exponential
Say it like ek-spoh-NEN-shul. Exponential has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce exponential. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ek
- spoh
- NEN
- shul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Exponential pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- spohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- NENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of exponential
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ek-spoh-NEN-shul.
What does exponential mean?
- Any function that has an exponent as an independent variable.
- Expressed in terms of an exponent (power of a base), the base often being 10 or e.“In base-10 exponential form, 1,000,000 is written as 10⁶.”
- Characterised by a rate of change that is proportional to the value of the varying quantity, or, equivalently, by a doubling or halving over successive fixed intervals of time or other parameter, described as exponential growth or exponential decay.“There were two deaths on Monday, four on Tuesday, and eight on Wednesday. The rate of increase seems exponential.”
- Characterised by a very rapid rate of change, especially increase, or merely a very large amount or degree.“There's been an exponential rise in the number of crimes reported this year, compared to last year.”
Where does exponential come from?
From exponent + -ial.
Words that rhyme with exponential
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of exponential.
- potential
- essential
- presidential
- residential
- influential
- confidential
- differential
- existential
- sequential
- preferential
Questions about saying exponential
How do you pronounce exponential?
Say ek-spoh-NEN-shul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɛkspoʊˈnɛnʃəl/. In British English it is /ˌɛkspəʊˈnɛnʃəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in exponential?
Exponential has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NEN). Broken into parts: ek · spoh · NEN · shul.
Is exponential pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌɛkspəʊˈnɛnʃəl/ (ek-spoh-NEN-shul).