How to pronounce semiannual
Say it like sem-ee-AN-yuh-wul. Semiannual has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce semiannual. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sem
- ee
- AN
- yuh
- wul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Semiannual pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- semGive 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.
- ANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- wulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of semiannual
American and British speakers say semiannual in essentially the same way: /ˌsɛmiˈænjəwəl/ in the US and /ˌsɛmiˈænjəwəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: sem-ee-AN-yuh-wul.
What does semiannual mean?
- Biannual: occurring twice a year
- Something occurring twice each year.
Where does semiannual come from?
From semi- + annual.
Questions about saying semiannual
How do you pronounce semiannual?
Say sem-ee-AN-yuh-wul. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɛmiˈænjəwəl/. In British English it is /ˌsɛmiˈænjəwəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in semiannual?
Semiannual has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AN). Broken into parts: sem · ee · AN · yuh · wul.
Do Americans and Brits say semiannual the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌsɛmiˈænjəwəl/ and the British form is /ˌsɛmiˈænjəwəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.