How to pronounce obeisance
Say it like oh-BAY-suns. Obeisance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obeisance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- BAY
- suns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obeisance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- BAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- sunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of obeisance
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-BAY-suns.
What does obeisance mean?
- Demonstration of an obedient attitude, especially by bowing deeply; a deep bow which demonstrates such an attitude.
- An obedient attitude.
Where does obeisance come from?
From Middle English obeisaunce (“obedience, obeisance”), from Old French obeïssance, derived from obeïssant (“obedient”), participle of obeïr (“to obey”), from Latin oboediō, obēdiō; ob- (“to, for”) + audiō (“to hear”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying obeisance
How do you pronounce obeisance?
Say oh-BAY-suns. The American pronunciation is /oʊˈbeɪsəns/. In British English it is /əʊˈbeɪsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obeisance?
Obeisance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAY). Broken into parts: oh · BAY · suns.
Is obeisance 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 /əʊˈbeɪsəns/ (oh-BAY-suns).