How to pronounce illustration
Say it like il-uh-STRAY-shun. Illustration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illustration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- il
- uh
- STRAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illustration 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STRAYSay 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 illustration
American and British speakers say illustration in essentially the same way: /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: il-uh-STRAY-shun.
What does illustration mean?
- artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
- showing by example
- an item of information that is typical of a class or group“this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome”“there is an example on page 10”
Where does illustration come from?
Borrowed from Middle French illustration, from Latin illūstrātiō, from illūstrō (“to illustrate”).
Words that rhyme with illustration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of illustration.
Questions about saying illustration
How do you pronounce illustration?
Say il-uh-STRAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illustration?
Illustration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STRAY). Broken into parts: il · uh · STRAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say illustration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.