How to pronounce Kennedy
Say it like KEN-uh-dee. Kennedy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Kennedy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KEN
- uh
- dee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kennedy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Kennedy
American and British speakers say Kennedy in essentially the same way: /ˈkɛnədi/ in the US and /ˈkɛnɪdi/ in the UK.
British respelling: KEN-ih-dee.
What does Kennedy mean?
- 35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)
- a large airport on Long Island to the east of New York City
Questions about saying Kennedy
How do you pronounce Kennedy?
Say KEN-uh-dee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɛnədi/. In British English it is /ˈkɛnɪdi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Kennedy?
Kennedy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KEN). Broken into parts: KEN · uh · dee.
Do Americans and Brits say Kennedy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɛnədi/ and the British form is /ˈkɛnɪdi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.