How to pronounce meiosis
Say it like my-OH-sis. Meiosis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce meiosis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- my
- OH
- sis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Meiosis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- myKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- sisKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of meiosis
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: my-OH-sis.
What does meiosis mean?
- A figure of speech in which something is presented as smaller or less significant than it actually appears.
- Cell division of a diploid cell into four haploid cells, which develop to produce gametes.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with meiosis
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of meiosis.
- tuberculosis
- apoptosis
- osteoporosis
- necrosis
- thrombosis
- stenosis
- osmosis
- atherosclerosis
- endometriosis
- symbiosis
Questions about saying meiosis
How do you pronounce meiosis?
Say my-OH-sis. The American pronunciation is /maɪˈoʊsɪs/. In British English it is /maɪˈəʊsɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in meiosis?
Meiosis has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OH). Broken into parts: my · OH · sis.
Is meiosis pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /maɪˈəʊsɪs/ (my-OH-sis).