How to pronounce preposition
Say it like prep-uh-ZISH-un. Preposition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preposition. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- prep
- uh
- ZISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preposition pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prepGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- ZISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of preposition
American and British speakers say preposition in essentially the same way: /ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: prep-uh-ZISH-un.
What does preposition mean?
- Any of a class of non-inflecting words and multiword terms typically employed to connect a following noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word: a particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other wor
- An adposition.
- Alternative spelling of pre-position.“It is important to preposition the material before turning on the machine.”
Where does preposition come from?
From Middle English preposicioun, from Old French preposicion, from Latin praepositio, praepositionem, from praepono (“to place before”), equivalent to pre- + position.
Words that rhyme with preposition
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of preposition.
Questions about saying preposition
How do you pronounce preposition?
Say prep-uh-ZISH-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preposition?
Preposition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZISH). Broken into parts: prep · uh · ZISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say preposition the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.