How to pronounce permit
Say it like per-MIT. Permit has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIT).
- per
- MIT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Noun: 'PUR-mit'. Verb: 'per-MIT'.
Permit 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.
- MITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of permit
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: puh-MIT.
Other ways to say permit
Permit also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- PUR-mit /ˈpɝˌmɪt/
What does permit mean?
- To allow (something) to happen, to give permission for.
- To allow (someone) to do something; to give permission to.
- To allow for, to make something possible.
- An artifact or document rendering something allowed or legal.“A construction permit can be obtained from the town offices.”
- A learner's permit.
- A pompano of the species Trachinotus falcatus.
Where does permit come from?
From Middle English permitten, borrowed from Middle French permettre, from Latin permittō (“give up, allow”), from per (“through”) + mittō (“send”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- license
- licence
- permission
- trachinotus falcatus
- allow
- let
- countenance
- tolerate
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with permit
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of permit.
Questions about saying permit
How do you pronounce permit?
Say per-MIT. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈmɪt/. In British English it is /pəˈmɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in permit?
Permit has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MIT). Broken into parts: per · MIT.
Is permit 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 /pəˈmɪt/ (puh-MIT).