How to pronounce frankincense
Say it like FRANG-kun-sens. Frankincense has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRANG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce frankincense. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FRANG
- kun
- sens
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Frankincense pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FRANGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sensGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of frankincense
American and British speakers say frankincense in essentially the same way: /ˈfræŋkənˌsɛns/ in the US and /ˈfræŋkənˌsɛns/ in the UK.
British respelling: FRANG-kun-sens.
What does frankincense mean?
- A type of incense obtained from the Boswellia thurifera tree.
Where does frankincense come from?
From Old French franc encens (“noble incense”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying frankincense
How do you pronounce frankincense?
Say FRANG-kun-sens. The American pronunciation is /ˈfræŋkənˌsɛns/. In British English it is /ˈfræŋkənˌsɛns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in frankincense?
Frankincense has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FRANG). Broken into parts: FRANG · kun · sens.
Do Americans and Brits say frankincense the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfræŋkənˌsɛns/ and the British form is /ˈfræŋkənˌsɛns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.