How to pronounce graduation
Say it like graj-oo-AY-shun. Graduation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY).
- graj
- oo
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Graduation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- grajGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of graduation
American and British speakers say graduation in essentially the same way: /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɡrædjʊˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: grad-yuu-AY-shun.
What does graduation mean?
- The action or process of graduating and receiving a diploma for completing a course of study (such as from an educational institution).“The graduation ball was the students' chance to say goodbye to each other.”
- A commencement ceremony.
- The action or process of leaving a group.“graduation from AKB48”
Where does graduation come from?
From graduate + -ion.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- gradation
- commencement
- commencement exercise
- commencement ceremony
- graduation exercise
Words that rhyme with graduation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of graduation.
Questions about saying graduation
How do you pronounce graduation?
Say graj-oo-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɡrædjʊˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in graduation?
Graduation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY). Broken into parts: graj · oo · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say graduation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɡrædjʊˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.