How to pronounce philosophy
Say it like fuh-LOS-uh-fee. Philosophy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce philosophy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fuh
- LOS
- uh
- fee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Philosophy 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.
- LOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- feeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of philosophy
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: fih-LOS-uh-fee.
What does philosophy mean?
- a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
- the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics
- any personal belief about how to live or how to deal with a situation“self-indulgence was his only philosophy”“my father's philosophy of child-rearing was to let mother do it”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying philosophy
How do you pronounce philosophy?
Say fuh-LOS-uh-fee. The American pronunciation is /fəˈlɑsəfi/. In British English it is /fɪˈlɒsəfi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in philosophy?
Philosophy has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOS). Broken into parts: fuh · LOS · uh · fee.
Is philosophy pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /fɪˈlɒsəfi/ (fih-LOS-uh-fee).