How to pronounce intumescent
Say it like in-too-MES-unt. Intumescent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce intumescent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- too
- MES
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intumescent 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.
- tooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- MESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of intumescent
American and British speakers say intumescent in essentially the same way: /ɪntuˈmɛsənt/ in the US and /ɪntjʊˈmɛsənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-tyuu-MES-unt.
What does intumescent mean?
- That becomes swollen, especially upon exposure to heat.
- Any substance that swells on exposure to heat, thus increasing in volume and decreasing in density.“Intumescents are used in some fire protection systems.”
Where does intumescent come from?
From Latin intumēscēns, present participle of intumescō (“rise, swell”), from tumescō (“become inflated”).
Words that rhyme with intumescent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of intumescent.
- adolescent
- crescent
- fluorescent
- incessant
- incandescent
- antidepressant
- iridescent
- pubescent
- convalescent
- depressant
Questions about saying intumescent
How do you pronounce intumescent?
Say in-too-MES-unt. The American pronunciation is /ɪntuˈmɛsənt/. In British English it is /ɪntjʊˈmɛsənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intumescent?
Intumescent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MES). Broken into parts: in · too · MES · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say intumescent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪntuˈmɛsənt/ and the British form is /ɪntjʊˈmɛsənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.