How to pronounce sesquipedalianism
Say it like ses-kwuh-puh-DAY-lee-uh-nih-zum. Sesquipedalianism has eight syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (DAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sesquipedalianism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ses
- kwuh
- puh
- DAY
- lee
- uh
- nih
- zum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sesquipedalianism pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sesGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- kwuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- DAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- zumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sesquipedalianism
American and British speakers say sesquipedalianism in essentially the same way: /ˌsɛskwəpəˈdeɪliənɪzəm/ in the US and /sɛzkwɪpəˈdɛliənɪsəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: sez-kwih-puh-DEL-ee-uh-nih-sum.
What does sesquipedalianism mean?
- The practice of using long, sometimes obscure, words in speech or writing.
- A very long word.
Where does sesquipedalianism come from?
From Latin sēsquipedālis (“a foot and a half long; in metaphorical use, “of an unnatural length, huge, big””), from sēsqui (“one and a half times as great”) + pedālis (“foot”).
Questions about saying sesquipedalianism
How do you pronounce sesquipedalianism?
Say ses-kwuh-puh-DAY-lee-uh-nih-zum. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɛskwəpəˈdeɪliənɪzəm/. In British English it is /sɛzkwɪpəˈdɛliənɪsəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sesquipedalianism?
Sesquipedalianism has eight syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (DAY). Broken into parts: ses · kwuh · puh · DAY · lee · uh · nih · zum.
Do Americans and Brits say sesquipedalianism the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌsɛskwəpəˈdeɪliənɪzəm/ and the British form is /sɛzkwɪpəˈdɛliənɪsəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.