How to pronounce pelvis
Say it like PEL-vus. Pelvis has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pelvis. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEL
- vus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pelvis pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- vusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pelvis
American and British speakers say pelvis in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛlvəs/ in the US and /ˈpɛlvəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEL-vus.
What does pelvis mean?
- The large compound bone structure at the base of the spine that supports the legs in hominids.
- The pelvic region of the human body.“Elvis was swinging his pelvis around and the ladies were swooning.”
- A funnel-shaped cavity, especially such a cavity in the kidney into which urine passes towards the ureter.“renal pelvis”
Where does pelvis come from?
From Latin pēlvis (“basin”), from Old Latin pēluis (“basin”), further etymology uncertain.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying pelvis
How do you pronounce pelvis?
Say PEL-vus. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛlvəs/. In British English it is /ˈpɛlvəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pelvis?
Pelvis has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEL). Broken into parts: PEL · vus.
Do Americans and Brits say pelvis the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛlvəs/ and the British form is /ˈpɛlvəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.