How to pronounce petrification
Say it like pet-rih-fih-KAY-shun. Petrification has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce petrification. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pet
- rih
- fih
- KAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Petrification pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- petGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of petrification
American and British speakers say petrification in essentially the same way: /ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pet-rih-fih-KAY-shun.
What does petrification mean?
- Turning to stone: the process of replacement of the organic residues of plants (and animals) with insoluble salts, with the original shape and topography being retained.
- obduracy; callousness.
- Sheer terror; great fright.
Where does petrification come from?
From French pétrification, from Middle French pétrifier + -ation.
Words that rhyme with petrification
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of petrification.
Questions about saying petrification
How do you pronounce petrification?
Say pet-rih-fih-KAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in petrification?
Petrification has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (KAY). Broken into parts: pet · rih · fih · KAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say petrification the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.