How to pronounce inauguration
Say it like ih-naw-ghyuh-RAY-shun. Inauguration has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inauguration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ih
- naw
- ghyuh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inauguration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- ghyuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay 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 inauguration
American and British speakers say inauguration in essentially the same way: /ɪˌnɔɡjəˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /ɪˌnɔːɡjʊˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-naw-ghyuu-RAY-shun.
What does inauguration mean?
- the act of starting a new operation or practice“he opposed the inauguration of fluoridation”“the startup of the new factory was delayed by strikes”
- the ceremonial induction into a position“the new president obviously enjoyed his inauguration”
Where does inauguration come from?
From Middle French inauguration.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inauguration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inauguration.
Questions about saying inauguration
How do you pronounce inauguration?
Say ih-naw-ghyuh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ɪˌnɔɡjəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɪˌnɔːɡjʊˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inauguration?
Inauguration has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RAY). Broken into parts: ih · naw · ghyuh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say inauguration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪˌnɔɡjəˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ɪˌnɔːɡjʊˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.