How to pronounce Indianapolis
Say it like in-dee-uh-NAP-uh-lis. Indianapolis has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Indianapolis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- dee
- uh
- NAP
- uh
- lis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Indianapolis 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.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lisKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of Indianapolis
American and British speakers say Indianapolis in essentially the same way: /ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs/ in the US and /ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-dee-uh-NAP-uh-lis.
What does Indianapolis mean?
- the capital and largest city of Indiana; a major commercial center in the country's heartland; site of an annual 500-mile automobile race
Questions about saying Indianapolis
How do you pronounce Indianapolis?
Say in-dee-uh-NAP-uh-lis. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs/. In British English it is /ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAP). Broken into parts: in · dee · uh · NAP · uh · lis.
Do Americans and Brits say Indianapolis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs/ and the British form is /ˌɪndiəˈnæpəlɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.