How to pronounce pugilistic
Say it like pyoo-juh-LIS-tik. Pugilistic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pugilistic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pyoo
- juh
- LIS
- tik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pugilistic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pyooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- juhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of pugilistic
American and British speakers say pugilistic in essentially the same way: /ˌpjudʒəˈlɪstɪk/ in the US and /ˌpjuːdʒəˈlɪstɪk/ in the UK.
British respelling: pyoo-juh-LIS-tik.
What does pugilistic mean?
- In the manner of a pugilist.
- Fighting with the fists.
Where does pugilistic come from?
From pugilist + -ic, alternatively pugil + -istic.
Words that rhyme with pugilistic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pugilistic.
Questions about saying pugilistic
How do you pronounce pugilistic?
Say pyoo-juh-LIS-tik. The American pronunciation is /ˌpjudʒəˈlɪstɪk/. In British English it is /ˌpjuːdʒəˈlɪstɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pugilistic?
Pugilistic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LIS). Broken into parts: pyoo · juh · LIS · tik.
Do Americans and Brits say pugilistic the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpjudʒəˈlɪstɪk/ and the British form is /ˌpjuːdʒəˈlɪstɪk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.