How to pronounce permission
Say it like per-MISH-un. Permission has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce permission. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- per
- MISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Permission pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- perKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- MISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of permission
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-MISH-un.
What does permission mean?
- approval to do something“he asked permission to leave”
- the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
Where does permission come from?
From Middle English permision, permission, permissioun, permyssion, from Middle French permission, from Latin permissiō.
Words that rhyme with permission
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of permission.
Questions about saying permission
How do you pronounce permission?
Say per-MISH-un. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈmɪʃən/. In British English it is /pəˈmɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in permission?
Permission has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MISH). Broken into parts: per · MISH · un.
Is permission 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 /pəˈmɪʃən/ (puh-MISH-un).