How to pronounce ionosphere
Say it like eye-ON-aws-feer. Ionosphere has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ionosphere. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- eye
- ON
- aws
- feer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ionosphere pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- eyeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- awsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- feerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of ionosphere
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: eye-ON-os-feer.
What does ionosphere mean?
- The part of the Earth's atmosphere beginning at an altitude of about 50 kilometers (31 miles) and extending outward 500 kilometers (310 miles) or more.
- The similar region of the atmosphere of another planet.
Where does ionosphere come from?
From iono- + -sphere.
Questions about saying ionosphere
How do you pronounce ionosphere?
Say eye-ON-aws-feer. The American pronunciation is /ˌaɪˈɑnɔsˌfir/. In British English it is /ˌaɪˈɒnɒsˌfɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ionosphere?
Ionosphere has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ON). Broken into parts: eye · ON · aws · feer.
Is ionosphere 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 /ˌaɪˈɒnɒsˌfɪə/ (eye-ON-os-feer).