How to pronounce melancholy
Say it like MEL-un-kah-lee. Melancholy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce melancholy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MEL
- un
- kah
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Melancholy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of melancholy
American and British speakers say melancholy in essentially the same way: /ˈmɛlənˌkɑli/ in the US and /ˈmɛlənkəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: MEL-un-kuh-lee.
What does melancholy mean?
- Great sadness or depression, especially of a thoughtful or introspective nature.
- Affected with great sadness or depression.“Melancholy people don't talk much.”
- Suggestive of wistfulness or subdued emotion.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying melancholy
How do you pronounce melancholy?
Say MEL-un-kah-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɛlənˌkɑli/. In British English it is /ˈmɛlənkəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in melancholy?
Melancholy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MEL). Broken into parts: MEL · un · kah · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say melancholy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɛlənˌkɑli/ and the British form is /ˈmɛlənkəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.