How to pronounce glossolalia
Say it like glos-uh-LAY-lee-uh. Glossolalia has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce glossolalia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- glos
- uh
- LAY
- lee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Glossolalia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- glosGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of glossolalia
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: glos-uh-LAY-lee-uh.
What does glossolalia mean?
- Speaking a language one does not know, or speaking elaborate but apparently meaningless speech, while in a trance-like state (or, supposedly, under the influence of a deity or spirits); speaking in tongues.
- Synonym of xenoglossy (“knowledge of a language one has never learned”).
Words that rhyme with glossolalia
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of glossolalia.
Questions about saying glossolalia
How do you pronounce glossolalia?
Say glos-uh-LAY-lee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɡlɑsəˈleɪliə/. In British English it is /ˌɡlɒsəˈleɪliə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in glossolalia?
Glossolalia has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY). Broken into parts: glos · uh · LAY · lee · uh.
Is glossolalia pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌɡlɒsəˈleɪliə/ (glos-uh-LAY-lee-uh).