How to pronounce proliferation
Say it like proh-lih-fuh-RAY-shun. Proliferation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce proliferation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- proh
- lih
- fuh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Proliferation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- lihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of proliferation
American and British speakers say proliferation in essentially the same way: /ˌproʊlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: pruh-lif-uh-RAY-shun.
What does proliferation mean?
- growth by the rapid multiplication of parts
- a rapid increase in number (especially a rapid increase in the number of deadly weapons)“the proliferation of nuclear weapons”
Where does proliferation come from?
Borrowed from French prolifération.
Words that rhyme with proliferation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of proliferation.
Questions about saying proliferation
How do you pronounce proliferation?
Say proh-lih-fuh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌproʊlɪfəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in proliferation?
Proliferation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (RAY). Broken into parts: proh · lih · fuh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say proliferation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌproʊlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.