How to pronounce inertia
Say it like in-UR-shuh. Inertia has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (UR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inertia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- UR
- shuh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inertia 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.
- URSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inertia
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ih-NUR-shuh.
What does inertia mean?
- The property of a body that resists any change to its uniform motion; equivalent to its mass.
- In a person, unwillingness to take action.
- Lack of activity; sluggishness; said especially of the uterus, when, in labor, its contractions have nearly or wholly ceased.
Where does inertia come from?
From Latin inertia (“lack of art or skill, inactivity, indolence”), from iners (“unskilled, inactive”), from in- (“without, not”) + ars (“skill, art”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying inertia
How do you pronounce inertia?
Say in-UR-shuh. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnɝʃə/. In British English it is /ɪˈnɜːʃə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inertia?
Inertia has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (UR). Broken into parts: in · UR · shuh.
Is inertia pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪˈnɜːʃə/ (ih-NUR-shuh).