How to pronounce hypotenuse
Say it like hy-POT-uh-noos. Hypotenuse has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hypotenuse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- hy
- POT
- uh
- noos
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hypotenuse 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.
- POTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- noosKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of hypotenuse
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: hy-POT-uh-nyooz.
What does hypotenuse mean?
- The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.
Questions about saying hypotenuse
How do you pronounce hypotenuse?
Say hy-POT-uh-noos. The American pronunciation is /haɪˈpɑtənus/. In British English it is /haɪˈpɒtənjuːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hypotenuse?
Hypotenuse has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POT). Broken into parts: hy · POT · uh · noos.
Is hypotenuse pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /haɪˈpɒtənjuːz/ (hy-POT-uh-nyooz).