How to pronounce is
Say it like IZ. Is is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce is. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Is pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- IZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of is
American and British speakers say is in essentially the same way: /ɪz/ in the US and /ɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: IZ.
What does is mean?
- third-person singular simple present indicative of be How to pronounce be“He is a doctor.”
- Used in phrases with existential there (also here and where) when the semantic subject is plural.“There is three of them there.”
- Alternative spelling of us (“me”).
- Alternative form of i's.
Words that rhyme with is
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of is.
Questions about saying is
How do you pronounce is?
Say IZ. The American pronunciation is /ɪz/. In British English it is /ɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in is?
Is is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: IZ.
Do Americans and Brits say is the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪz/ and the British form is /ɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.