How to pronounce penny
Say it like PEN-ee. Penny has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce penny. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PEN
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Penny pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of penny
American and British speakers say penny in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛni/ in the US and /ˈpɛni/ in the UK.
British respelling: PEN-ee.
What does penny mean?
- a fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
- a coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit
Where does penny come from?
From Middle English peny, from Old English peniġ, penniġ, penning (“penny”), from Proto-West Germanic *panning, from Proto-Germanic *panningaz, of uncertain origin (see that page for theories).
Words that rhyme with penny
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of penny.
Questions about saying penny
How do you pronounce penny?
Say PEN-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛni/. In British English it is /ˈpɛni/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in penny?
Penny has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PEN). Broken into parts: PEN · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say penny the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛni/ and the British form is /ˈpɛni/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.