How to pronounce paramount
Say it like PER-uh-mownt. Paramount has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paramount. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PER
- uh
- mownt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paramount pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mowntGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of paramount
American and British speakers say paramount in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛrəˌmaʊnt/ in the US and /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAR-uh-mownt.
What does paramount mean?
- having superior power and influence“the predominant mood among policy-makers is optimism”
Where does paramount come from?
From Anglo-Norman paramont /paramount (“paramount, pre-eminent; above”), from Old French par /per (“by”) + amont /amunt (“upward”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying paramount
How do you pronounce paramount?
Say PER-uh-mownt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛrəˌmaʊnt/. In British English it is /ˈpærəmaʊnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paramount?
Paramount has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PER). Broken into parts: PER · uh · mownt.
Do Americans and Brits say paramount the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛrəˌmaʊnt/ and the British form is /ˈpærəmaʊnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.