How to pronounce pretension
Say it like pree-TEN-shun. Pretension 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 pretension. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- TEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pretension 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.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pretension
American and British speakers say pretension in essentially the same way: /priˈtɛnʃən/ in the US and /priˈtɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pree-TEN-shun.
What does pretension mean?
- A claim or aspiration to a particular status or quality.
- Pretentiousness.
- To apply tension to an object before some other event or process.
- To apply tension to reinforcing strands before concrete is poured in.
Where does pretension come from?
From Middle English pretencioun, pretensioun, from Medieval Latin prētēnsiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with pretension
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pretension.
Questions about saying pretension
How do you pronounce pretension?
Say pree-TEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /priˈtɛnʃən/. In British English it is /priˈtɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pretension?
Pretension has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: pree · TEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say pretension the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /priˈtɛnʃən/ and the British form is /priˈtɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.