How to pronounce humanism
Say it like HYOO-muh-nih-zum. Humanism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce humanism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HYOO
- muh
- nih
- zum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Humanism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- zumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of humanism
American and British speakers say humanism in essentially the same way: /ˈhjumənɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈhjuːmənɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: HYOO-muh-nih-zum.
What does humanism mean?
- The study of the humanities or the liberal arts; literary (especially classical) scholarship.
- An ethical system that centers on humans and their values, needs, interests, abilities, dignity and freedom; especially used for a secular one which rejects theistic religion and superstition.
- Humanitarianism.
Where does humanism come from?
From human + -ism, borrowed from German Humanismus, coined by Friedrich Immanuel Niethammer in 1808.
Questions about saying humanism
How do you pronounce humanism?
Say HYOO-muh-nih-zum. The American pronunciation is /ˈhjumənɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈhjuːmənɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in humanism?
Humanism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HYOO). Broken into parts: HYOO · muh · nih · zum.
Do Americans and Brits say humanism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhjumənɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈhjuːmənɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.