How to pronounce incendiary
Say it like in-SEN-dee-er-ee. Incendiary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incendiary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- SEN
- dee
- er
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incendiary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of incendiary
American and British speakers say incendiary in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈsɛndiɛri/ in the US and /ɪnˈsɛndɪəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-SEN-dih-uh-ree.
What does incendiary mean?
- Something capable of causing fire, particularly a weapon.“The military used incendiaries to destroy the building. Fortunately, the fire didn't spread.”
- One who maliciously sets fires.
- One who excites or inflames factions into quarrels.
- Capable of, or used for, or actually causing fire.
- Of a damaging fire, intentionally caused rather than accidental.
- Intentionally stirring up strife, riot, rebellion.
Where does incendiary come from?
From Middle English incendiarie, from Old French incendiaire, from Latin incendiārius (“setting alight”), from incendium (“destructive fire”), from incendō (“to set on fire, kindle”), from in- (“into, in, on, upon”) + candeō (“to be hot”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying incendiary
How do you pronounce incendiary?
Say in-SEN-dee-er-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈsɛndiɛri/. In British English it is /ɪnˈsɛndɪəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incendiary?
Incendiary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEN). Broken into parts: in · SEN · dee · er · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say incendiary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈsɛndiɛri/ and the British form is /ɪnˈsɛndɪəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.