How to pronounce inception
Say it like in-SEP-shun. Inception has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inception. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- SEP
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inception 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.
- SEPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inception
American and British speakers say inception in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-SEP-shun.
What does inception mean?
- an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events
Where does inception come from?
The layering sense derives from the 2010 science fiction film Inception, in which a team of people infiltrate someone’s subconscious mind, proceeding through several layers of dreams with the goal of causing the target to incept an idea.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inception
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inception.
- exception
- reception
- perception
- conception
- deception
- interception
- contraception
- misconception
- preconception
- proprioception
Questions about saying inception
How do you pronounce inception?
Say in-SEP-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inception?
Inception has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEP). Broken into parts: in · SEP · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say inception the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪnˈsɛpʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.