How to pronounce penitentiary
Say it like pen-ih-TEN-chuh-ree. Penitentiary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penitentiary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pen
- ih
- TEN
- chuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penitentiary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- penGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- chuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of penitentiary
American and British speakers say penitentiary in essentially the same way: /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃəri/ in the US and /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: pen-ih-TEN-chuh-ree.
What does penitentiary mean?
- A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (loosely) a prison.
- A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
- Of or relating to penance; penitential.
- Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.
Where does penitentiary come from?
From Middle English penitentiary, from Medieval Latin pēnitentiārius (“place of penitence”), from Latin paenitentia (“penitence”), term used by the Quakers in Pennsylvania during the 1790s, describing a place for penitents to dwell upon their sins.
Words that rhyme with penitentiary
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of penitentiary.
Questions about saying penitentiary
How do you pronounce penitentiary?
Say pen-ih-TEN-chuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃəri/. In British English it is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penitentiary?
Penitentiary has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TEN). Broken into parts: pen · ih · TEN · chuh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say penitentiary the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃəri/ and the British form is /ˌpɛnɪˈtɛntʃəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.