How to pronounce paucity
Say it like PAW-sih-tee. Paucity has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce paucity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAW
- sih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Paucity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of paucity
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: POS-ih-tee.
What does paucity mean?
- Fewness in number; too few.
- A smallness in size or amount that is insufficient; meagerness, dearth.
Where does paucity come from?
From Middle English paucete, paucite, paucyte, partly from Middle French paucité and partly from its etymon, Latin paucitās (“a small number, fewness, scarcity”), from paucus (“few, little”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying paucity
How do you pronounce paucity?
Say PAW-sih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɔsɪti/. In British English it is /ˈpɒsɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in paucity?
Paucity has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAW). Broken into parts: PAW · sih · tee.
Is paucity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈpɒsɪti/ (POS-ih-tee).