How to pronounce pretenses
Say it like pree-TEN-siz. Pretenses has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pretenses. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- TEN
- siz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pretenses pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- sizKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of pretenses
American and British speakers say pretenses in essentially the same way: /priˈtɛnsɪz/ in the US and /priˈtɛnsɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: pree-TEN-siz.
What does pretenses mean?
- plural of pretense How to pronounce pretense
Questions about saying pretenses
How do you pronounce pretenses?
Say pree-TEN-siz. The American pronunciation is /priˈtɛnsɪz/. In British English it is /priˈtɛnsɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pretenses?
Pretenses has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: pree · TEN · siz.
Do Americans and Brits say pretenses the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /priˈtɛnsɪz/ and the British form is /priˈtɛnsɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.