How to pronounce provenance
Say it like PRAH-vuh-nuns. Provenance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce provenance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRAH
- vuh
- nuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Provenance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- vuhKeep 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 provenance
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PROV-uh-nuns.
What does provenance mean?
- Place or source of origin.“Many supermarkets display the provenance of their food products.”
- The place and time of origin of some artifact or other object. See Usage notes below.“This spear is of Viking provenance.”
- The history of ownership of a work of art.“The picture is of royal provenance.”
- To establish the provenance of something
Where does provenance come from?
Borrowed from French provenance (“origin”), from Middle French provenant, present participle of provenir (“come forth, arise”), from Latin provenio (“to come forth”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying provenance
How do you pronounce provenance?
Say PRAH-vuh-nuns. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɑvənəns/. In British English it is /ˈprɒvənəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in provenance?
Provenance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAH). Broken into parts: PRAH · vuh · nuns.
Is provenance 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 /ˈprɒvənəns/ (PROV-uh-nuns).