How to pronounce prime
Say it like PRYME. Prime is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prime. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRYME
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prime pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRYMESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of prime
American and British speakers say prime in essentially the same way: /praɪm/ in the US and /praɪm/ in the UK.
British respelling: PRYME.
What does prime mean?
- first in rank or degree“an architect of premier rank”“the prime minister”
- used of the first or originating agent“prime mover”
- of superior grade“choice wines”“prime beef”
- a natural number that has exactly two distinct natural number divisors: 1 and itself
- the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
- the second canonical hour; about 6 a.m.
- insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing“prime a cannon”“prime a mine”
- cover with a primer; apply a primer to
- fill with priming liquid“prime a car engine”
Where does prime come from?
The noun sense "apostrophe-like symbol" originates from the fact that the symbol ′ was originally a superscript Roman numeral one.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prime
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prime.
Questions about saying prime
How do you pronounce prime?
Say PRYME. The American pronunciation is /praɪm/. In British English it is /praɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prime?
Prime is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PRYME.
Do Americans and Brits say prime the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /praɪm/ and the British form is /praɪm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.