How to pronounce misery
Say it like MIZ-uh-ree. Misery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce misery. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIZ
- uh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Misery pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MIZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of misery
American and British speakers say misery in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪzəri/ in the US and /ˈmɪzəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: MIZ-uh-ree.
What does misery mean?
- a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune“the misery and wretchedness of those slums is intolerable”
- a feeling of intense unhappiness“she was exhausted by her misery and grief”
Where does misery come from?
From Middle English miserie, from Old French miserie (modern: misère), from Latin miseria, from miser, equivalent to miser + -y.
Questions about saying misery
How do you pronounce misery?
Say MIZ-uh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪzəri/. In British English it is /ˈmɪzəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in misery?
Misery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIZ). Broken into parts: MIZ · uh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say misery the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪzəri/ and the British form is /ˈmɪzəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.