How to pronounce obesity
Say it like oh-BEE-suh-tee. Obesity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obesity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- BEE
- suh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obesity 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.
- BEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of obesity
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: oh-BEE-sih-tee.
What does obesity mean?
- more than average fatness
Where does obesity come from?
From French obésité, from Latin obēsitās, from obēsus (“fat”).
Questions about saying obesity
How do you pronounce obesity?
Say oh-BEE-suh-tee. The American pronunciation is /oʊˈbisəti/. In British English it is /əʊˈbiːsɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obesity?
Obesity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEE). Broken into parts: oh · BEE · suh · tee.
Is obesity 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 /əʊˈbiːsɪti/ (oh-BEE-sih-tee).