How to pronounce mystery
Say it like MIS-tuh-ree. Mystery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mystery. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MIS
- tuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mystery pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tuhKeep 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 mystery
American and British speakers say mystery in essentially the same way: /ˈmɪstəri/ in the US and /ˈmɪstəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: MIS-tuh-ree.
What does mystery mean?
- something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained“how it got out is a mystery”“it remains one of nature's secrets”
- a story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with mystery
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mystery.
Questions about saying mystery
How do you pronounce mystery?
Say MIS-tuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɪstəri/. In British English it is /ˈmɪstəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mystery?
Mystery has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MIS). Broken into parts: MIS · tuh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say mystery the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmɪstəri/ and the British form is /ˈmɪstəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.