How to pronounce seventeen
Say it like SEV-un-teen. Seventeen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce seventeen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SEV
- un
- teen
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Seventeen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teenGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of seventeen
American and British speakers say seventeen in essentially the same way: /ˈsɛvənˌtin/ in the US and /ˈsɛvəntiːn/ in the UK.
British respelling: SEV-un-teen.
What does seventeen mean?
- being one more than sixteen
- the cardinal number that is the sum of sixteen and one
Where does seventeen come from?
Equivalent to seven + -teen
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- xvii
Questions about saying seventeen
How do you pronounce seventeen?
Say SEV-un-teen. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɛvənˌtin/. In British English it is /ˈsɛvəntiːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in seventeen?
Seventeen has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SEV). Broken into parts: SEV · un · teen.
Do Americans and Brits say seventeen the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɛvənˌtin/ and the British form is /ˈsɛvəntiːn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.