How to pronounce perspicacity
Say it like pur-spih-KAS-ih-tee. Perspicacity has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAS).
- pur
- spih
- KAS
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perspicacity 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.
- spihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KASSay 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 perspicacity
- 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-spih-KAS-ih-tee.
What does perspicacity mean?
- Acute discernment or understanding; insight.
- The human faculty or power to mentally grasp or understand clearly.
Where does perspicacity come from?
From Middle French perspicacité (whence -acity) or directly from Latin perspicācitās (“sharpsightedness, discrimination”), from perspicāx (“sharp-sighted”), from perspicio, from per- + specio, "see through (something)".
Words that rhyme with perspicacity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of perspicacity.
Questions about saying perspicacity
How do you pronounce perspicacity?
Say pur-spih-KAS-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɝspɪˈkæsɪti/. In British English it is /ˌpɜːspɪˈkæsɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perspicacity?
Perspicacity has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (KAS). Broken into parts: pur · spih · KAS · ih · tee.
Is perspicacity 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 /ˌpɜːspɪˈkæsɪti/ (pur-spih-KAS-ih-tee).