How to pronounce quandary
Say it like KWAHN-duh-ree. Quandary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quandary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KWAHN
- duh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quandary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWAHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of quandary
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KWON-duh-ree.
What does quandary mean?
- A state of not knowing what to decide; a state of difficulty or perplexity; a state of uncertainty, hesitation or puzzlement; a dilemma, a difficult decision or choice.
Where does quandary come from?
16th century. Origin unknown; perhaps a dialectal corruption (simulating a word of Latin origin with suffix -ary) of wandreth (“evil, plight, peril, adversity, difficulty”), from Middle English wandreth, from Old Norse vandræði (“difficulty
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying quandary
How do you pronounce quandary?
Say KWAHN-duh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈkwɑndəri/. In British English it is /ˈkwɒndəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quandary?
Quandary has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAHN). Broken into parts: KWAHN · duh · ree.
Is quandary 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 /ˈkwɒndəri/ (KWON-duh-ree).