How to pronounce history
Say it like HIS-tuh-ree. History has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce history. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HIS
- tuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
History pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of history
American and British speakers say history in essentially the same way: /ˈhɪstəri/ in the US and /ˈhɪstəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: HIS-tuh-ree.
What does history mean?
- the aggregate of past events“a critical time in the school's history”
- a record or narrative description of past events“a history of France”“he gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president”
- the discipline that records and interprets past events involving human beings“he teaches Medieval history”“history takes the long view”
Where does history come from?
Attested in Middle English in 1393 by John Gower, Confessio Amantis, which was aimed at an educated audience familiar with French and Latin.
Words that rhyme with history
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of history.
Questions about saying history
How do you pronounce history?
Say HIS-tuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɪstəri/. In British English it is /ˈhɪstəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in history?
History has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HIS). Broken into parts: HIS · tuh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say history the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɪstəri/ and the British form is /ˈhɪstəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.