How to pronounce partisan
Say it like PAR-tuh-zun. Partisan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce partisan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAR
- tuh
- zun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Partisan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- zunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of partisan
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PAH-tih-zan.
What does partisan mean?
- a fervent and even militant proponent of something
- an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity
- a pike with a long tapering double-edged blade with lateral projections; 16th and 17th centuries
- devoted to a cause or party
Where does partisan come from?
The adjective in the military sense dates from the early 18th century.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying partisan
How do you pronounce partisan?
Say PAR-tuh-zun. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑrtəzən/. In British English it is /ˈpɑːtɪˌzæn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in partisan?
Partisan has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAR). Broken into parts: PAR · tuh · zun.
Is partisan 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 /ˈpɑːtɪˌzæn/ (PAH-tih-zan).