How to pronounce legitimacy
Say it like luh-JIT-uh-muh-see. Legitimacy has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce legitimacy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- luh
- JIT
- uh
- muh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Legitimacy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- JITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of legitimacy
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: lih-JIT-ih-muh-see.
What does legitimacy mean?
- lawfulness by virtue of being authorized or in accordance with law
- undisputed credibility
Where does legitimacy come from?
From legitim(ate) + -acy.
Questions about saying legitimacy
How do you pronounce legitimacy?
Say luh-JIT-uh-muh-see. The American pronunciation is /ləˈdʒɪtəməsi/. In British English it is /lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in legitimacy?
Legitimacy has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JIT). Broken into parts: luh · JIT · uh · muh · see.
Is legitimacy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/ (lih-JIT-ih-muh-see).