How to pronounce lunacy
Say it like LOO-nuh-see. Lunacy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lunacy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOO
- nuh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lunacy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nuhKeep 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 lunacy
American and British speakers say lunacy in essentially the same way: /ˈlunəsi/ in the US and /ˈluːnəsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: LOO-nuh-see.
What does lunacy mean?
- A cyclical mental disease, apparently linked to the lunar phases.
- Insanity implying legal irresponsibility.
- Something deeply misguided.
Where does lunacy come from?
From lun(atic) + -acy.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying lunacy
How do you pronounce lunacy?
Say LOO-nuh-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈlunəsi/. In British English it is /ˈluːnəsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lunacy?
Lunacy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LOO). Broken into parts: LOO · nuh · see.
Do Americans and Brits say lunacy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈlunəsi/ and the British form is /ˈluːnəsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.