How to pronounce orient
Say it like OR-ee-ent. Orient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce orient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OR
- ee
- ent
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Orient pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- entGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of orient
American and British speakers say orient in essentially the same way: /ˈɔriˌɛnt/ in the US and /ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: AW-rih-ent.
What does orient mean?
- To build or place (something) so as to face eastward.
- To align or place (a person or object) so that his, her, or its east side, north side, etc., is positioned toward the corresponding points of the compass; (specifically, surveying) to rotate (a map attached to a plane table) until the line of direction between any two of its points is parallel to th
- To direct towards or point at a particular direction.“The workers oriented all the signs to face the road.”
- The part of the horizon where the sun first appears in the morning; the east.
- The brilliance or color of a high-quality pearl.
- Rising, like the morning sun.
- Of the color of the sky at daybreak; bright in color, from red to yellow.
- Of, facing, or located in the east; eastern, oriental.
Where does orient come from?
The adjective is derived from Middle English orient (“eastern; from Asia or the Orient; brilliant, shining (characteristic of jewels from the Orient)”), from Middle English orient (noun); see above.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying orient
How do you pronounce orient?
Say OR-ee-ent. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔriˌɛnt/. In British English it is /ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in orient?
Orient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OR). Broken into parts: OR · ee · ent.
Do Americans and Brits say orient the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɔriˌɛnt/ and the British form is /ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.