How to pronounce perplexity
Say it like per-PLEK-suh-tee. Perplexity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLEK).
- per
- PLEK
- suh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perplexity 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.
- PLEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of perplexity
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: puh-PLEK-sih-tee.
What does perplexity mean?
- The state or quality of being perplexed.
- Something that perplexes.
- A measure of the accuracy with which a probability distribution or model predicts a sample.
Where does perplexity come from?
From Middle English perplexite, borrowed from Middle French perplexité or post-classical Latin perplexitās, from perplexus (“entangled”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with perplexity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perplexity.
Questions about saying perplexity
How do you pronounce perplexity?
Say per-PLEK-suh-tee. The American pronunciation is /pɚˈplɛksəti/. In British English it is /pəˈplɛksɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perplexity?
Perplexity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLEK). Broken into parts: per · PLEK · suh · tee.
Is perplexity 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 /pəˈplɛksɪti/ (puh-PLEK-sih-tee).