How to pronounce plebeian
Say it like pluh-BEE-un. Plebeian has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce plebeian. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pluh
- BEE
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Plebeian pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of plebeian
American and British speakers say plebeian in essentially the same way: /pləˈbiən/ in the US and /pləˈbiːən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pluh-BEE-un.
What does plebeian mean?
- A commoner, particularly (derogatory) a low, vulgar person.
- Of or concerning the common people.
- Common, particularly (derogatory) vulgar, crude, coarse, uncultured.
Where does plebeian come from?
From Latin plēbēius (“a commoner; common”) + -an (adjective-forming suffix), from Latin plēbēs + -ius (adjective-forming suffix), possibly under the influence of Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien (“a commoner”) and plebeien (“concern
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with plebeian
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of plebeian.
Questions about saying plebeian
How do you pronounce plebeian?
Say pluh-BEE-un. The American pronunciation is /pləˈbiən/. In British English it is /pləˈbiːən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in plebeian?
Plebeian has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BEE). Broken into parts: pluh · BEE · un.
Do Americans and Brits say plebeian the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /pləˈbiən/ and the British form is /pləˈbiːən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.