How to pronounce quaternary
Say it like KWAH-ter-ner-ee. Quaternary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quaternary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KWAH
- ter
- ner
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quaternary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- nerGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of quaternary
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kwuh-TUR-nuh-ree.
What does quaternary mean?
- A quaternary compound.
- The Quaternary period or the system of deposits laid down during it.
- Of fourth rank or order.“the quaternary stress in a pronounced word”
- Of a mathematical expression containing e.g. x⁴.
- Relating to or in number base four.
Where does quaternary come from?
Derived from Latin quaternārius (“containing or consisting of four”), from quaternī (“four each”, “four at a time”) + -ārius (whence the English suffix -ary); compare the French quaternaire.
Questions about saying quaternary
How do you pronounce quaternary?
Say KWAH-ter-ner-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkwɑtɚˌnɛri/. In British English it is /kwəˈtɜːnəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quaternary?
Quaternary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWAH). Broken into parts: KWAH · ter · ner · ee.
Is quaternary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /kwəˈtɜːnəri/ (kwuh-TUR-nuh-ree).