How to pronounce preoccupation
Say it like pree-ah-kyuu-PAY-shun. Preoccupation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (PAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preoccupation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- ah
- kyuu
- PAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preoccupation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ahKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- kyuuKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- PAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of preoccupation
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: pree-o-kyuu-PAY-shun.
What does preoccupation mean?
- The state of being preoccupied or an idea that preoccupies the mind; enthrallment.
- The act of occupying something before someone else.
Where does preoccupation come from?
Borrowed from Middle French préoccupation, from Latin praeoccupātiō.
Words that rhyme with preoccupation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of preoccupation.
Questions about saying preoccupation
How do you pronounce preoccupation?
Say pree-ah-kyuu-PAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpriɑkjʊˈpeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpriɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preoccupation?
Preoccupation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (PAY). Broken into parts: pree · ah · kyuu · PAY · shun.
Is preoccupation 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 /ˌpriɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən/ (pree-o-kyuu-PAY-shun).