How to pronounce nonsense
Say it like NON-sens. Nonsense has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nonsense. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NON
- sens
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nonsense pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- sensKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of nonsense
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: NON-sens.
What does nonsense mean?
- a message that seems to convey no meaning
- ornamental objects of no great value
- having no intelligible meaning“nonsense syllables”“a nonsensical jumble of words”
Where does nonsense come from?
From non- (“no, none, lack of”) + sense, from c.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying nonsense
How do you pronounce nonsense?
Say NON-sens. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɑnsɛns/. In British English it is /ˈnɒnsɛns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nonsense?
Nonsense has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NON). Broken into parts: NON · sens.
Is nonsense pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈnɒnsɛns/ (NON-sens).