How to pronounce personality
Say it like pur-suh-NAL-ih-tee. Personality has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce personality. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pur
- suh
- NAL
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Personality 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.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- 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 personality
- 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: pur-suh-NAL-ih-tee.
What does personality mean?
- the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual“their different reactions reflected their very different personalities”“it is his nature to help others”
- a person of considerable prominence“she is a Hollywood personality”
Words that rhyme with personality
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of personality.
- functionality
- plurality
- immortality
- originality
- individuality
- fatality
- speciality
- rationality
- criminality
- totality
Questions about saying personality
How do you pronounce personality?
Say pur-suh-NAL-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝsəˈnælɪti/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in personality?
Personality has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAL). Broken into parts: pur · suh · NAL · ih · tee.
Is personality 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 /ˌpɜːsəˈnælɪti/ (pur-suh-NAL-ih-tee).