How to pronounce punctuation
Say it like puhngk-choo-AY-shun. Punctuation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce punctuation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- puhngk
- choo
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Punctuation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- puhngkGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- chooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of punctuation
American and British speakers say punctuation in essentially the same way: /ˌpʌŋktʃuˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: puhngk-choo-AY-shun.
What does punctuation mean?
- A set of symbols and marks which are used to clarify meaning in text by separating strings of words into clauses, phrases and sentences; examples include commas, hyphens, and stops (periods).“Different languages have different rules for punctuation.”
- Nikud.
- An act of punctuating.
Where does punctuation come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin punctuātiō (“a marking with points, a writing, agreement”), from punctuō (“to mark with points, settle”).
Words that rhyme with punctuation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of punctuation.
Questions about saying punctuation
How do you pronounce punctuation?
Say puhngk-choo-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌpʌŋktʃuˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in punctuation?
Punctuation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY). Broken into parts: puhngk · choo · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say punctuation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌpʌŋktʃuˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.