How to pronounce insinuation
Say it like in-sin-yoo-AY-shun. Insinuation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce insinuation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- sin
- yoo
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Insinuation 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.
- sinGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of insinuation
American and British speakers say insinuation in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˌsɪnjuˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪnˌsɪnjuːˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-sin-yoo-AY-shun.
What does insinuation mean?
- The act or process of insinuating; a creeping, winding, or flowing in.
- The act of gaining favor, affection, or influence, by gentle or artful means;, formerly used in a good sense, as of friendly influence or interposition.
- The art or power of gaining good will by a prepossessing manner.
Where does insinuation come from?
Borrowed from Middle French insinuation, from Old French, from Latin insinuatio, from īnsinuō (“to push in, creep in, steal in”), from in (“in”) + sinus (“a winding, bend, bay, fold, bosom”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with insinuation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of insinuation.
Questions about saying insinuation
How do you pronounce insinuation?
Say in-sin-yoo-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˌsɪnjuˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnˌsɪnjuːˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in insinuation?
Insinuation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY). Broken into parts: in · sin · yoo · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say insinuation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˌsɪnjuˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪnˌsɪnjuːˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.