How to pronounce illegitimacy
Say it like il-ih-JIT-uh-muh-see. Illegitimacy has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (JIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illegitimacy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- il
- ih
- JIT
- uh
- muh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illegitimacy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- JITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of illegitimacy
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: il-ih-JIT-uh-muh-see.
What does illegitimacy mean?
- The state of being illegitimate.
- The state of being born to parents who were not legally married to each other.
Where does illegitimacy come from?
From illegitimate + -cy; may also be analyzed as il- + legitimacy.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying illegitimacy
How do you pronounce illegitimacy?
Say il-ih-JIT-uh-muh-see. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtəməsi/. In British English it is /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtəməsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illegitimacy?
Illegitimacy has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (JIT). Broken into parts: il · ih · JIT · uh · muh · see.
Is illegitimacy 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 /ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtəməsi/ (il-ih-JIT-uh-muh-see).