How to pronounce momentary
Say it like MOH-mun-ter-ee. Momentary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce momentary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MOH
- mun
- ter
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Momentary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- terGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of momentary
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: MOH-mun-tuh-ree.
What does momentary mean?
- Lasting for only a moment.
- Ephemeral or relatively short-lived.
Where does momentary come from?
From Middle English momentare, from Late Latin mōmentārius (“of brief duration”), from mōmentum (“a short time, an instant”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying momentary
How do you pronounce momentary?
Say MOH-mun-ter-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈmoʊmənˌtɛri/. In British English it is /ˈməʊməntəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in momentary?
Momentary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MOH). Broken into parts: MOH · mun · ter · ee.
Is momentary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈməʊməntəri/ (MOH-mun-tuh-ree).