How to pronounce idealism
Say it like eye-DEE-lih-zum. Idealism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce idealism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- eye
- DEE
- lih
- zum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Idealism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- eyeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- DEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- lihKeep 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 idealism
American and British speakers say idealism in essentially the same way: /aɪˈdilɪzəm/ in the US and /aɪˈdiːlɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: eye-DEE-lih-zum.
What does idealism mean?
- The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.
- The practice or habit of giving or attributing ideal form or character to things; treatment of things in art or literature according to ideal standards or patterns;, opposed to realism.
- An approach to philosophical enquiry, which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.
Where does idealism come from?
First attested 1796, from ideal + -ism.
Words that rhyme with idealism
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of idealism.
Questions about saying idealism
How do you pronounce idealism?
Say eye-DEE-lih-zum. The American pronunciation is /aɪˈdilɪzəm/. In British English it is /aɪˈdiːlɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in idealism?
Idealism has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEE). Broken into parts: eye · DEE · lih · zum.
Do Americans and Brits say idealism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /aɪˈdilɪzəm/ and the British form is /aɪˈdiːlɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.