How to pronounce presence
Say it like PREZ-uns. Presence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce presence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREZ
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Presence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of presence
American and British speakers say presence in essentially the same way: /ˈprɛzəns/ in the US and /ˈprɛzəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: PREZ-uns.
What does presence mean?
- the state of being present; current existence“he tested for the presence of radon”
- the immediate proximity of someone or something“she blushed in his presence”“he sensed the presence of danger”
- an invisible spiritual being felt to be nearby
Where does presence come from?
Through Old French presence, from Latin praesentia (“a being present”), from praesentem.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with presence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of presence.
Questions about saying presence
How do you pronounce presence?
Say PREZ-uns. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɛzəns/. In British English it is /ˈprɛzəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in presence?
Presence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREZ). Broken into parts: PREZ · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say presence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈprɛzəns/ and the British form is /ˈprɛzəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.