How to pronounce meritocracy
Say it like mer-uh-TAH-kruh-see. Meritocracy has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce meritocracy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mer
- uh
- TAH
- kruh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Meritocracy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- merKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kruhKeep 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 meritocracy
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: mer-ih-TOK-ruh-see.
What does meritocracy mean?
- Rule by merit and talent.“As a small nation without natural resources, Singapore relies on education and meritocracy to develop its economy.”
- A type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.
Where does meritocracy come from?
From merit + -o- + -cracy, coined by British sociologist Alan Fox in 1956 in an article in Socialist Commentary from May 1956, used as a derisive term, and popularized by British sociologist Michael Young, Baron Young of Dartington in his b
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with meritocracy
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of meritocracy.
Questions about saying meritocracy
How do you pronounce meritocracy?
Say mer-uh-TAH-kruh-see. The American pronunciation is /mɛrəˈtɑkrəsi/. In British English it is /mɛrɪˈtɒkrəsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in meritocracy?
Meritocracy has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TAH). Broken into parts: mer · uh · TAH · kruh · see.
Is meritocracy 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 /mɛrɪˈtɒkrəsi/ (mer-ih-TOK-ruh-see).