How to pronounce prominence
Say it like PROM-uh-nuns. Prominence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PROM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prominence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PROM
- uh
- nuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prominence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PROMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prominence
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PROM-ih-nuns.
What does prominence mean?
- the state of being prominent: widely known or eminent
- relative importance
- something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings“the gun in his pocket made an obvious bulge”“the hump of a camel”
Where does prominence come from?
From obsolete French prominence (compare proéminence), from Latin prominentia.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with prominence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prominence.
Questions about saying prominence
How do you pronounce prominence?
Say PROM-uh-nuns. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɑmənəns/. In British English it is /ˈprɒmɪnəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prominence?
Prominence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PROM). Broken into parts: PROM · uh · nuns.
Is prominence pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈprɒmɪnəns/ (PROM-ih-nuns).