How to pronounce secant
Say it like SEE-kunt. Secant has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce secant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEE
- kunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Secant pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kuntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of secant
American and British speakers say secant in essentially the same way: /ˈsikənt/ in the US and /ˈsiːkənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEE-kunt.
What does secant mean?
- A straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points.
- In a right triangle, the reciprocal of the cosine of an angle. Symbol: sec
- That cuts or divides.
Where does secant come from?
From Latin secāns, present participle of secō (“to cut”).
Words that rhyme with secant
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of secant.
Questions about saying secant
How do you pronounce secant?
Say SEE-kunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈsikənt/. In British English it is /ˈsiːkənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in secant?
Secant has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEE). Broken into parts: SEE · kunt.
Do Americans and Brits say secant the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsikənt/ and the British form is /ˈsiːkənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.