How to pronounce postmodern
Say it like pohst-MOD-ern. Postmodern has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MOD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce postmodern. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pohst
- MOD
- ern
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Postmodern pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pohstGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- MODSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ernKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of postmodern
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: pohst-MOD-un.
What does postmodern mean?
- Relating to what follows the modern era.
- Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of postmodernism, especially as represented in art, architecture, literature, science, or philosophy that reacts against an earlier modernism.
- A postmodernist.
Where does postmodern come from?
From post- + modern.
Questions about saying postmodern
How do you pronounce postmodern?
Say pohst-MOD-ern. The American pronunciation is /ˌpoʊstˈmɑdɚn/. In British English it is /ˌpəʊstˈmɒdən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in postmodern?
Postmodern has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MOD). Broken into parts: pohst · MOD · ern.
Is postmodern pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌpəʊstˈmɒdən/ (pohst-MOD-un).