How to pronounce necessary
Say it like NES-uh-ser-ee. Necessary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce necessary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NES
- uh
- ser
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Necessary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- serGive 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 necessary
American and British speakers say necessary in essentially the same way: /ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ in the US and /ˈnɛsəsəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: NES-uh-suh-ree.
What does necessary mean?
- absolutely essential
- unavoidably determined by prior circumstances“the necessary consequences of one's actions”
- anything indispensable“food and shelter are necessities of life”“the essentials of the good life”
Where does necessary come from?
Older use as a noun in reference to an outhouse or lavatory under the influence of English and Latin necessārium, a medieval term for the place for monks’ “unavoidable” business, usually located behind or attached to monastic dormitories.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying necessary
How do you pronounce necessary?
Say NES-uh-ser-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/. In British English it is /ˈnɛsəsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in necessary?
Necessary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NES). Broken into parts: NES · uh · ser · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say necessary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ and the British form is /ˈnɛsəsəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.