How to pronounce feminism
Say it like FEM-ih-niz-um. Feminism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce feminism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FEM
- ih
- niz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Feminism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nizGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of feminism
American and British speakers say feminism in essentially the same way: /ˈfɛmɪˌnɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈfɛmɪnɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: FEM-ih-nih-zum.
What does feminism mean?
- a doctrine that advocates equal rights for women
- the movement aimed at equal rights for women
Where does feminism come from?
First recorded in English in 1851, originally meaning “the state of being feminine”.
Questions about saying feminism
How do you pronounce feminism?
Say FEM-ih-niz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɛmɪˌnɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈfɛmɪnɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in feminism?
Feminism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FEM). Broken into parts: FEM · ih · niz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say feminism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfɛmɪˌnɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈfɛmɪnɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.