How to pronounce plenipotentiary
Say it like plen-ih-poh-TEN-shee-uh-ree. Plenipotentiary has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce plenipotentiary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- plen
- ih
- poh
- TEN
- shee
- uh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Plenipotentiary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- plenKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- pohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sheeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of plenipotentiary
- American English uses 7 syllables and British English 6.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: plen-ih-poh-TEN-shuh-ree.
What does plenipotentiary mean?
- A person invested with full powers, especially as the diplomatic agent of a sovereign state, (originally) charged with handling a certain matter.
- Invested with full power.
- Of or relating to a plenipotentiary agent
Where does plenipotentiary come from?
From Medieval Latin plēnipotentiārius (“having full power”), Late Latin plēnipotēns, from plēnus (“full”) + potēns (“mighty, powerful”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying plenipotentiary
How do you pronounce plenipotentiary?
Say plen-ih-poh-TEN-shee-uh-ree. The American pronunciation is /plɛnɪpoʊˈtɛnʃiəri/. In British English it is /ˌplɛnɪpəʊˈtɛnʃəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in plenipotentiary?
Plenipotentiary has seven syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (TEN). Broken into parts: plen · ih · poh · TEN · shee · uh · ree.
Is plenipotentiary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 7 syllables and British English 6. The British form is /ˌplɛnɪpəʊˈtɛnʃəri/ (plen-ih-poh-TEN-shuh-ree).