How to pronounce prefigure
Say it like PREE-fih-ghyer. Prefigure has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prefigure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREE
- fih
- ghyer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prefigure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ghyerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of prefigure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PREE-fih-ghyuh.
What does prefigure mean?
- To show or suggest ahead of time; to represent beforehand.
- To predict or foresee.
- That which prefigures or appears to predict; a harbinger.
Where does prefigure come from?
From Middle English prefiguren, from Latin praefigurare, from figurare (“to shape, picture”).
Questions about saying prefigure
How do you pronounce prefigure?
Say PREE-fih-ghyer. The American pronunciation is /ˈprifɪɡjɚ/. In British English it is /ˈpriːfɪɡjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prefigure?
Prefigure has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREE). Broken into parts: PREE · fih · ghyer.
Is prefigure 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 /ˈpriːfɪɡjə/ (PREE-fih-ghyuh).