How to pronounce primacy
Say it like PRY-muh-see. Primacy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce primacy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRY
- muh
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Primacy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of primacy
American and British speakers say primacy in essentially the same way: /ˈpraɪməsi/ in the US and /ˈpraɪməsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: PRY-muh-see.
What does primacy mean?
- The state or condition of being prime or first, as in time, place, rank, preference etc.“establish the primacy of something”
- The office, rank, or character of a primate (chief ecclesiastical dignity in a church).
- The office or dignity of an archbishop.
Where does primacy come from?
From Old French primacie, from Medieval Latin primatia (“office of a church primate”), from Latin primas plus a suffix corresponding to -acy.
Questions about saying primacy
How do you pronounce primacy?
Say PRY-muh-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈpraɪməsi/. In British English it is /ˈpraɪməsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in primacy?
Primacy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRY). Broken into parts: PRY · muh · see.
Do Americans and Brits say primacy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpraɪməsi/ and the British form is /ˈpraɪməsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.