How to pronounce seconds
Say it like SEK-undz. Seconds has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEK).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈsɛkəndz/SEK-undz
UK British/ˈsɛkəndz/SEK-undz
- SEK
- undz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Seconds pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- undzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of seconds
American and British speakers say seconds in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛkəndz/ in the US and /ˈsɛkəndz/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEK-undz.
What does seconds mean?
noun
- plural of second How to pronounce second“There are sixty seconds in a minute.”
- A second helping of food for one person, or refill of coffee or other drink.“There is plenty of pie left, if you have room for seconds.”
- An item of clothing that has failed quality control and is sold at a discount“It was marked as seconds, but I can't find anything wrong with it.”
- Any article of merchandise of a grade inferior to the best; especially, a coarse or inferior kind of flour.
- third-person singular simple present indicative of second How to pronounce second
Questions about saying seconds
How do you pronounce seconds?
Say SEK-undz. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛkəndz/. In British English it is /ˈsɛkəndz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in seconds?
Seconds has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEK). Broken into parts: SEK · undz.
Do Americans and Brits say seconds the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛkəndz/ and the British form is /ˈsɛkəndz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.