How to pronounce persiflage
Say it like PUR-sih-flahzh. Persiflage has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce persiflage. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- sih
- flahzh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Persiflage pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- flahzhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of persiflage
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-sih-flahzh.
What does persiflage mean?
- Good-natured banter; raillery.“After the third strike he returned to the bench to face the inevitable persiflage from his teammates.”
- Frivolous, lighthearted discussion of a topic.
Where does persiflage come from?
From French persiflage, from persifler (“to quiz, tease, mock”), from per- + siffler (“to whistle”), from Latin sībilō (“whistle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying persiflage
How do you pronounce persiflage?
Say PUR-sih-flahzh. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝsɪflɑʒ/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːsɪflɑːʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in persiflage?
Persiflage has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · sih · flahzh.
Is persiflage 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 /ˈpɜːsɪflɑːʒ/ (PUR-sih-flahzh).