How to pronounce functionary
Say it like FUHNGK-shuh-ner-ee. Functionary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUHNGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce functionary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUHNGK
- shuh
- ner
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Functionary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FUHNGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of functionary
American and British speakers say functionary in essentially the same way: /ˈfʌŋkʃəˌnɛri/ in the US and /ˈfʌŋkʃənəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: FUHNGK-shuh-nuh-ree.
What does functionary mean?
- A person employed as an official in a bureaucracy (usually corporate or governmental) who holds limited authority and primarily serves to carry out a simple function for which discretion is minimal or not required.
- Such a person who is petty, pedantic, short-sighted, uncaring, or counterproductive; sometimes also with implication of being amoral or corrupt.
Where does functionary come from?
From French fonctionnaire; by surface analysis, function + -ary.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying functionary
How do you pronounce functionary?
Say FUHNGK-shuh-ner-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈfʌŋkʃəˌnɛri/. In British English it is /ˈfʌŋkʃənəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in functionary?
Functionary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUHNGK). Broken into parts: FUHNGK · shuh · ner · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say functionary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfʌŋkʃəˌnɛri/ and the British form is /ˈfʌŋkʃənəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.