How to pronounce intonation
Say it like in-tuh-NAY-shun. Intonation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intonation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- tuh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intonation 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.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay 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 intonation
American and British speakers say intonation in essentially the same way: /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-tuh-NAY-shun.
What does intonation mean?
- The rise and fall of the voice in speaking.
- Emotive stress used to increase the power of delivery in speech.
- A sound made by, or resembling that made by, a musical instrument.
Where does intonation come from?
From French intonation, from Medieval Latin intonatio, from intonō + -tiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with intonation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intonation.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying intonation
How do you pronounce intonation?
Say in-tuh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intonation?
Intonation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: in · tuh · NAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say intonation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.