How to pronounce publican
Say it like PUHB-luh-kun. Publican has three 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 publican. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUHB
- luh
- kun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Publican 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.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of publican
American and British speakers say publican in essentially the same way: /ˈpʌbləkən/ in the US and /ˈpʌblɪkən/ in the UK.
British respelling: PUHB-lih-kun.
What does publican mean?
- The landlord (manager or owner) of a public house (“a bar or tavern, often also selling food and sometimes lodging; a pub”).
- The manager or owner of a hotel.
Where does publican come from?
Probably from public house (“(Britain) bar or tavern, often also selling food and sometimes lodging, pub”) or public (“open to all members of a community”) + -an (suffix forming agent nouns), apparently originally used humorously.
Questions about saying publican
How do you pronounce publican?
Say PUHB-luh-kun. The American pronunciation is /ˈpʌbləkən/. In British English it is /ˈpʌblɪkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in publican?
Publican has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUHB). Broken into parts: PUHB · luh · kun.
Do Americans and Brits say publican the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpʌbləkən/ and the British form is /ˈpʌblɪkən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.