How to pronounce incense
Say it like IN-sens. Incense has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incense. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- sens
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incense pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- sensGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of incense
American and British speakers say incense in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnˌsɛns/ in the US and /ˈɪnsɛns/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-sens.
Other ways to say incense
Incense also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- in-SENS /ˌɪnˈsɛns/
What does incense mean?
- Biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt, often used in religious rites or for aesthetic reasons.
- The fragrant smoke released by burning incense (sense 1).
- Homage; adulation.
- To anger; to infuriate.“I think it would incense him to learn the truth.”
- To offer incense to.
- To perfume with, or as with, incense.
Where does incense come from?
From Middle English encens, from Old French encens (“sweet-smelling substance”) from Late Latin incensum (“burnt incense”, literally “something burnt”), neuter past participle of incendō (“to set on fire”).
Questions about saying incense
How do you pronounce incense?
Say IN-sens. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnˌsɛns/. In British English it is /ˈɪnsɛns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incense?
Incense has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · sens.
Do Americans and Brits say incense the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnˌsɛns/ and the British form is /ˈɪnsɛns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.