How to pronounce predecessor
Say it like PRED-uh-ses-er. Predecessor has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce predecessor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRED
- uh
- ses
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Predecessor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREDSay 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.
- sesGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of predecessor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PREE-dih-ses-uh.
What does predecessor mean?
- one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
- something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
Where does predecessor come from?
From Middle English predecessour, from Old French predecesseor (“forebear”), from Late Latin praedēcessor, from Latin prae- (“pre-”) + Latin dēcessor (“retiring officer”), from Latin dēcēdō (“to retire, to die”) (English decease).
Questions about saying predecessor
How do you pronounce predecessor?
Say PRED-uh-ses-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɛdəˌsɛsɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpriːdɪˌsɛsə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in predecessor?
Predecessor has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRED). Broken into parts: PRED · uh · ses · er.
Is predecessor 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 /ˈpriːdɪˌsɛsə/ (PREE-dih-ses-uh).