How to pronounce oligarchy
Say it like AH-lih-gar-kee. Oligarchy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oligarchy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AH
- lih
- gar
- kee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oligarchy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- garGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- keeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of oligarchy
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: OL-ih-gah-kee.
What does oligarchy mean?
- A government run by and for only a few, often the aristocracy, the wealthy, or their friends and associates.
- A state ruled by such a government.“The 1832 Reform Act aimed to transform the British oligarchy and allow Parliament to represent the interests of a broader range of the population.”
- Those who make up an oligarchic government.“The modern British oligarchy, particularly during periods of Tory rule, has been called a chumocracy.”
Where does oligarchy come from?
By surface analysis, oligo- (“few”) + -archy (“rule, command”).
Questions about saying oligarchy
How do you pronounce oligarchy?
Say AH-lih-gar-kee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɑlɪˌɡɑrki/. In British English it is /ˈɒlɪˌɡɑːki/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oligarchy?
Oligarchy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AH). Broken into parts: AH · lih · gar · kee.
Is oligarchy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɒlɪˌɡɑːki/ (OL-ih-gah-kee).