How to pronounce sentence
Say it like SEN-tuns. Sentence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sentence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEN
- tuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sentence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sentence
American and British speakers say sentence in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛntəns/ in the US and /ˈsɛntəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEN-tuns.
What does sentence mean?
- a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language“he always spoke in grammatical sentences”
- (criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed“the conviction came as no surprise”
- the period of time a prisoner is imprisoned“he served a prison term of 15 months”“his sentence was 5 to 10 years”
- pronounce a sentence on (somebody) in a court of law“He was condemned to ten years in prison”
Where does sentence come from?
Borrowed from Middle French sentence, from Latin sententia (“way of thinking, opinion, sentiment”), from sentiēns, present participle of sentiō (“to feel, think”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sent- (“to feel”).
Words that rhyme with sentence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sentence.
Questions about saying sentence
How do you pronounce sentence?
Say SEN-tuns. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛntəns/. In British English it is /ˈsɛntəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sentence?
Sentence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEN). Broken into parts: SEN · tuns.
Do Americans and Brits say sentence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛntəns/ and the British form is /ˈsɛntəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.