How to pronounce perpetuity
Say it like pur-puh-TOO-ih-tee. Perpetuity has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perpetuity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- puh
- TOO
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perpetuity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- purGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of perpetuity
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: pur-pih-TYOO-ih-tee.
What does perpetuity mean?
- The quality or state of being perpetual; endless duration; uninterrupted existence.
- Something that is perpetual.
- A limitation intended to be unalterable and of indefinite duration; a disposition of property which attempts to make it inalienable beyond certain limits fixed or conceived as being fixed by the general law.
Where does perpetuity come from?
From Middle English perpetuitee, perpetuite, perpetuyte, from Old French perpetüité, ultimately from Latin perpetuitās.
Words that rhyme with perpetuity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perpetuity.
Questions about saying perpetuity
How do you pronounce perpetuity?
Say pur-puh-TOO-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝpəˈtuɪti/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːpɪˈtjuːɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perpetuity?
Perpetuity has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOO). Broken into parts: pur · puh · TOO · ih · tee.
Is perpetuity 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 /ˌpɜːpɪˈtjuːɪti/ (pur-pih-TYOO-ih-tee).