How to pronounce paralysis
Say it like puh-RAL-uh-sus. Paralysis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paralysis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- RAL
- uh
- sus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paralysis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- susKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of paralysis
American and British speakers say paralysis in essentially the same way: /pəˈræləsəs/ in the US and /pəˈrælɪsɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-RAL-ih-sis.
What does paralysis mean?
- The complete loss of voluntary control of part of a living body, such as one or more limbs.
- A state of being unable to act.“The government has been in a paralysis since it lost its majority in the parliament.”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with paralysis
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of paralysis.
Questions about saying paralysis
How do you pronounce paralysis?
Say puh-RAL-uh-sus. The American pronunciation is /pəˈræləsəs/. In British English it is /pəˈrælɪsɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paralysis?
Paralysis has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (RAL). Broken into parts: puh · RAL · uh · sus.
Do Americans and Brits say paralysis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈræləsəs/ and the British form is /pəˈrælɪsɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.