How to pronounce octogenarian

Say it like ok-tuh-jih-NER-ee-un. Octogenarian has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NER).

Octogenarian pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

1. okGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
2. tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
3. jihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
4. NERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
5. eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
6. unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.

American vs British pronunciation of octogenarian

• The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.

British respelling: ok-tuh-jih-NAIR-ee-un.

What does octogenarian mean?

Where does octogenarian come from?

From Latin octōgēnārius + -an (suffix forming adjectives and representative nouns), either directly or via French octogénaire, from Latin octōgēnus (“80 each”) + -ārius (“-ary”), from octōgintā (“eight tens, 80”).

Words that rhyme with octogenarian

Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of octogenarian.

• humanitarian
• vegetarian
• authoritarian
• librarian
• libertarian
• ovarian
• barbarian
• sectarian
• totalitarian
• agrarian

Questions about saying octogenarian