How to pronounce parentheses
Say it like puh-REN-thuh-seez. Parentheses has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce parentheses. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puh
- REN
- thuh
- seez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Parentheses 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.
- RENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- thuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seezGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of parentheses
American and British speakers say parentheses in essentially the same way: /pəˈrɛnθəˌsiz/ in the US and /pəˈrɛnθɪˌsiːz/ in the UK.
British respelling: puh-REN-thih-seez.
What does parentheses mean?
- plural of parenthesis How to pronounce parenthesis
Where does parentheses come from?
By surface analysis, par- + en- + theses.
Questions about saying parentheses
How do you pronounce parentheses?
Say puh-REN-thuh-seez. The American pronunciation is /pəˈrɛnθəˌsiz/. In British English it is /pəˈrɛnθɪˌsiːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in parentheses?
Parentheses has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REN). Broken into parts: puh · REN · thuh · seez.
Do Americans and Brits say parentheses the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pəˈrɛnθəˌsiz/ and the British form is /pəˈrɛnθɪˌsiːz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.