How to pronounce paranoia
Say it like per-uh-NOY-uh. Paranoia has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NOY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paranoia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- uh
- NOY
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paranoia pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NOYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oy" in boy.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of paranoia
American and British speakers say paranoia in essentially the same way: /ˌpɛrəˈnɔɪə/ in the US and /ˌpærəˈnɔɪə/ in the UK.
British respelling: par-uh-NOY-uh.
What does paranoia mean?
- Extreme, irrational distrust of others.
Where does paranoia come from?
By surface analysis, para- (“abnormal, beyond”) + nous (“mind”) + -ia (“(medical) condition”).
Words that rhyme with paranoia
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of paranoia.
Questions about saying paranoia
How do you pronounce paranoia?
Say per-uh-NOY-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɛrəˈnɔɪə/. In British English it is /ˌpærəˈnɔɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paranoia?
Paranoia has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NOY). Broken into parts: per · uh · NOY · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say paranoia the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpɛrəˈnɔɪə/ and the British form is /ˌpærəˈnɔɪə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.