How to pronounce phenytoin
Say it like fuh-NIT-oh-in. Phenytoin has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce phenytoin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fuh
- NIT
- oh
- in
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Phenytoin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- fuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- inKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of phenytoin
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: feh-NIT-oh-in.
What does phenytoin mean?
- A synthetic compound related to hydantoin, used as an anticonvulsant in the treatment of epilepsy.
Where does phenytoin come from?
Contraction of diphenylhydantoin.
Questions about saying phenytoin
How do you pronounce phenytoin?
Say fuh-NIT-oh-in. The American pronunciation is /fəˈnɪtoʊɪn/. In British English it is /fɛˈnɪtəʊɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in phenytoin?
Phenytoin has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NIT). Broken into parts: fuh · NIT · oh · in.
Is phenytoin pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /fɛˈnɪtəʊɪn/ (feh-NIT-oh-in).