How to pronounce promiscuous
Say it like PROH-mih-skwus. Promiscuous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce promiscuous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PROH
- mih
- skwus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Promiscuous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- mihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- skwusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of promiscuous
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: PROH-mih-skwus.
What does promiscuous mean?
- Made up of various disparate elements mixed together; of disorderly composition.
- Made without careful choice; indiscriminate.“A sail caught by a promiscuous wind.”
- Having many sexual partners, especially if indiscriminate in choice of sexual partners.
Where does promiscuous come from?
From Latin prōmiscuus (“mixed, not separated”), from prō (“forth”) + misceō (“mix”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying promiscuous
How do you pronounce promiscuous?
Say PROH-mih-skwus. The American pronunciation is /ˈproʊmɪskwəs/. In British English it is /ˈprəʊmɪskwəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in promiscuous?
Promiscuous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PROH). Broken into parts: PROH · mih · skwus.
Is promiscuous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈprəʊmɪskwəs/ (PROH-mih-skwus).