How to pronounce paraphernalia
Say it like per-uh-fer-NAY-lee-uh. Paraphernalia has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paraphernalia. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- uh
- fer
- NAY
- lee
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paraphernalia 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.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of paraphernalia
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: par-uh-fuh-NAY-lee-uh.
What does paraphernalia mean?
- Miscellaneous items, especially the set of equipment required for a particular activity.“drug paraphernalia”
Where does paraphernalia come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin paraphernālia (“goods which a wife brings over and above her dowry”), use as noun (short for paraphernālia bona (“paraphernal goods”)) of neuter plural of paraphernālis, from Late Latin parapherna + Latin -ālis
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with paraphernalia
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of paraphernalia.
Questions about saying paraphernalia
How do you pronounce paraphernalia?
Say per-uh-fer-NAY-lee-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɛrəfɚˈneɪliə/. In British English it is /ˌpærəfəˈneɪliə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paraphernalia?
Paraphernalia has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (NAY). Broken into parts: per · uh · fer · NAY · lee · uh.
Is paraphernalia 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 /ˌpærəfəˈneɪliə/ (par-uh-fuh-NAY-lee-uh).