How to pronounce metathesis
Say it like muh-TATH-uh-sis. Metathesis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TATH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce metathesis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- TATH
- uh
- sis
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Metathesis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TATHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sisKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of metathesis
American and British speakers say metathesis in essentially the same way: /məˈtæθəsɪs/ in the US and /məˈtæθəsɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-TATH-uh-sis.
What does metathesis mean?
- The transposition of letters, syllables or sounds within a word.
- The double decomposition of inorganic salts.
- The breaking and reforming of double bonds in olefins in which substituent groups are swapped.
Questions about saying metathesis
How do you pronounce metathesis?
Say muh-TATH-uh-sis. The American pronunciation is /məˈtæθəsɪs/. In British English it is /məˈtæθəsɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in metathesis?
Metathesis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TATH). Broken into parts: muh · TATH · uh · sis.
Do Americans and Brits say metathesis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈtæθəsɪs/ and the British form is /məˈtæθəsɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.