How to pronounce helium
Say it like HEE-lee-um. Helium has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce helium. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEE
- lee
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Helium pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of helium
American and British speakers say helium in essentially the same way: /ˈhiliəm/ in the US and /ˈhiːliəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEE-lee-um.
What does helium mean?
- The second-lightest chemical element (symbol He), with an atomic number of 2 and atomic weight of 4.002602, a colorless, odorless and inert noble gas.
- A form or sample of the element.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with helium
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of helium.
Questions about saying helium
How do you pronounce helium?
Say HEE-lee-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈhiliəm/. In British English it is /ˈhiːliəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in helium?
Helium has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HEE). Broken into parts: HEE · lee · um.
Do Americans and Brits say helium the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhiliəm/ and the British form is /ˈhiːliəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.