How to pronounce hiatus
Say it like hy-AY-tus. Hiatus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hiatus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hy
- AY
- tus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hiatus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- hyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hiatus
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: hy-AY-tus.
What does hiatus mean?
- A gap in a series, making it incomplete.
- An interruption, break, pause or absence.“The band decided to go on hiatus, citing creative differences.”
- An temporary break from work, especially one which is unexpected.
Where does hiatus come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin hiātus (“opening”) (mid-16th century), from hiō (“stand open, yawn”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with hiatus
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hiatus.
Questions about saying hiatus
How do you pronounce hiatus?
Say hy-AY-tus. The American pronunciation is /haɪˈeɪtəs/. In British English it is /haɪˈeɪtəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hiatus?
Hiatus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AY). Broken into parts: hy · AY · tus.
Is hiatus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /haɪˈeɪtəs/ (hy-AY-tus).