How to pronounce illumination
Say it like il-oo-muh-NAY-shun. Illumination has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illumination. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- il
- oo
- muh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illumination 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.
- ooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of illumination
American and British speakers say illumination in essentially the same way: /ˌɪˌluməˈneɪʃən/ in the US and /ɪˌljumɪˈneɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-lyoo-mih-NAY-shun.
What does illumination mean?
- The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated.“The room was filled with soft illumination from the candles.”
- Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights.
- Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See illuminate (transitive verb).
Where does illumination come from?
Borrowed from Middle French illumination, from Late Latin illūminātiō, from Latin illumino.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with illumination
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of illumination.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying illumination
How do you pronounce illumination?
Say il-oo-muh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˌluməˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɪˌljumɪˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illumination?
Illumination has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAY). Broken into parts: il · oo · muh · NAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say illumination the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪˌluməˈneɪʃən/ and the British form is /ɪˌljumɪˈneɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.