How to pronounce public
Say it like PUHB-lik. Public has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce public. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHB
- lik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Public pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PUHBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- likKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of public
American and British speakers say public in essentially the same way: /ˈpʌblɪk/ in the US and /ˈpʌblɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: PUHB-lik.
What does public mean?
- people in general considered as a whole“he is a hero in the eyes of the public”
- a body of people sharing some common interest“the reading public”
- not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole“the public good”“public libraries”
- affecting the people or community as a whole“community leaders”“community interests”
Where does public come from?
The verb is derived from the adjective.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying public
How do you pronounce public?
Say PUHB-lik. The American pronunciation is /ˈpʌblɪk/. In British English it is /ˈpʌblɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in public?
Public has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHB). Broken into parts: PUHB · lik.
Do Americans and Brits say public the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpʌblɪk/ and the British form is /ˈpʌblɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.