How to pronounce perspicacious
Say it like per-spuh-KAY-shus. Perspicacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY).
- per
- spuh
- KAY
- shus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perspicacious 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.
- spuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of perspicacious
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: pur-spih-KAY-shus.
What does perspicacious mean?
- Of acute discernment; having keen insight; mentally perceptive.
Where does perspicacious come from?
First attested 1548, from Late Latin perspicācitās (“discernment”), from Latin perspicax (“sharp-sighted”), from perspiciō (“look through”), from per- (“through”) + speciō (“look at”).
Words that rhyme with perspicacious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perspicacious.
Questions about saying perspicacious
How do you pronounce perspicacious?
Say per-spuh-KAY-shus. The American pronunciation is /pɚspəˈkeɪʃəs/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perspicacious?
Perspicacious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAY). Broken into parts: per · spuh · KAY · shus.
Is perspicacious 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 /ˌpɜːspɪˈkeɪʃəs/ (pur-spih-KAY-shus).