How to pronounce posterity
Say it like po-STER-uh-tee. Posterity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce posterity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- po
- STER
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Posterity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- poKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- STERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of posterity
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: po-STER-ih-tee.
What does posterity mean?
- All the future generations, especially the descendants of a specific person.
- Future audiences, future times, future recognition.
Where does posterity come from?
Late 14th century, from Middle French posterité, from Latin posteritas, from posterus (“following, coming after”), from post (“after”) (English post-).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with posterity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of posterity.
Questions about saying posterity
How do you pronounce posterity?
Say po-STER-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /pɑˈstɛrəti/. In British English it is /pɒˈstɛrɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in posterity?
Posterity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STER). Broken into parts: po · STER · uh · tee.
Is posterity 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 /pɒˈstɛrɪti/ (po-STER-ih-tee).