How to pronounce picayune
Say it like pik-uh-YOON. Picayune has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (YOON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce picayune. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pik
- uh
- YOON
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Picayune pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pikGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- YOONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of picayune
American and British speakers say picayune in essentially the same way: /ˌpɪkəˈjun/ in the US and /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/ in the UK.
British respelling: pik-uh-YOON.
What does picayune mean?
- A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle.
- An argument, fact, or other issue raised (often intentionally) that distracts from a larger issue or fails to make any difference.
- Of little consequence; small and of little importance; petty, trivial.
- Childishly spiteful; tending to go on about unimportant things; small-minded.
Where does picayune come from?
The adjective is derived from the noun.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with picayune
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of picayune.
Questions about saying picayune
How do you pronounce picayune?
Say pik-uh-YOON. The American pronunciation is /ˌpɪkəˈjun/. In British English it is /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in picayune?
Picayune has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (YOON). Broken into parts: pik · uh · YOON.
Do Americans and Brits say picayune the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpɪkəˈjun/ and the British form is /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.