How to pronounce infirmary
Say it like in-FUR-muh-ree. Infirmary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce infirmary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- FUR
- muh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Infirmary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of infirmary
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-FUR-muh-ree.
What does infirmary mean?
- A place where sick or injured people are cared for, especially a small hospital; sickhouse.
- A clinic or dispensary within another institution.
Where does infirmary come from?
From Medieval Latin infirmaria, from Latin infirmus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying infirmary
How do you pronounce infirmary?
Say in-FUR-muh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ɪnˈfɝməri/. In British English it is /ɪnˈfɜːməri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in infirmary?
Infirmary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: in · FUR · muh · ree.
Is infirmary 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 /ɪnˈfɜːməri/ (in-FUR-muh-ree).