How to pronounce liberalism
Say it like LIB-ur-ruh-liz-um. Liberalism has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce liberalism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LIB
- ur
- ruh
- liz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Liberalism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- urGive this part a little weight.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lizGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of liberalism
American and British speakers say liberalism in essentially the same way: /ˈlɪˌbɜrəˌlɪzəm/ in the US and /ˈlɪˌbɜrəˌlɪzəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: LIB-ur-ruh-liz-um.
What does liberalism mean?
- a political orientation that favors social progress by reform and by changing laws rather than by revolution
- an economic theory advocating free competition and a self-regulating market
Where does liberalism come from?
Circa 1819, from French libéralisme circa 1818.
Questions about saying liberalism
How do you pronounce liberalism?
Say LIB-ur-ruh-liz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˈlɪˌbɜrəˌlɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˈlɪˌbɜrəˌlɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in liberalism?
Liberalism has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LIB). Broken into parts: LIB · ur · ruh · liz · um.
Do Americans and Brits say liberalism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlɪˌbɜrəˌlɪzəm/ and the British form is /ˈlɪˌbɜrəˌlɪzəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.