How to pronounce sanctuary
Say it like SANGK-choo-er-ee. Sanctuary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SANGK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sanctuary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SANGK
- choo
- er
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sanctuary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SANGKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- chooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- erGive 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 sanctuary
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3.
British respelling: SANGK-choor-ree.
What does sanctuary mean?
- a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
- a shelter from danger or hardship
- area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often enclosed by a lattice or railing
Where does sanctuary come from?
From Middle English seyntuarie, from Old French saintuaire, from Late Latin sanctuarium (“a sacred place, a shrine, a private cabinet, in Medieval Latin also temple, church, churchyard, cemetery, right of asylum”), from Latin sanctus (“holy
Questions about saying sanctuary
How do you pronounce sanctuary?
Say SANGK-choo-er-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsæŋktʃuˌɛri/. In British English it is /ˈsæŋktʃʊəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sanctuary?
Sanctuary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SANGK). Broken into parts: SANGK · choo · er · ee.
Is sanctuary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ˈsæŋktʃʊəri/ (SANGK-choor-ree).