How to pronounce melancholic
Say it like mel-un-KOL-ik. Melancholic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce melancholic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mel
- un
- KOL
- ik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Melancholic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- melGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of melancholic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: mel-un-KOL-ik.
What does melancholic mean?
- A person who is habitually melancholy.
- Filled with or affected by melancholy, great sadness or depression, especially of a thoughtful or introspective nature.
- Pertaining to black bile (melancholy).
- Pertaining to the melancholic temperament or its associated personality traits.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with melancholic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of melancholic.
Questions about saying melancholic
How do you pronounce melancholic?
Say mel-un-KOL-ik. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɛlənˈkɑlɪk/. In British English it is /ˌmɛlənˈkɒlɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in melancholic?
Melancholic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KOL). Broken into parts: mel · un · KOL · ik.
Is melancholic pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌmɛlənˈkɒlɪk/ (mel-un-KOL-ik).