How to pronounce priority
Say it like pry-OR-uh-tee. Priority has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce priority. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pry
- OR
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Priority pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pryKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- ORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of priority
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: pry-OR-ih-tee.
What does priority mean?
- status established in order of importance or urgency“...its precedence as the world's leading manufacturer of pharmaceuticals”“national independence takes priority over class struggle”
- preceding in time
Where does priority come from?
Surface analysis: prior + -ity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with priority
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of priority.
Questions about saying priority
How do you pronounce priority?
Say pry-OR-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /praɪˈɔrəti/. In British English it is /praɪˈɒrɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in priority?
Priority has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (OR). Broken into parts: pry · OR · uh · tee.
Is priority pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /praɪˈɒrɪti/ (pry-OR-ih-tee).