How to pronounce Sicily
Say it like SIS-uh-lee. Sicily has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Sicily. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIS
- uh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sicily pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of Sicily
American and British speakers say Sicily in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪsəli/ in the US and /ˈsɪsəli/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIS-uh-lee.
What does Sicily mean?
- The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, an autonomous region of Italy, close to Africa and separated from Tunisia and Libya by the Strait of Sicily.
Questions about saying Sicily
How do you pronounce Sicily?
Say SIS-uh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪsəli/. In British English it is /ˈsɪsəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Sicily?
Sicily has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIS). Broken into parts: SIS · uh · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say Sicily the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪsəli/ and the British form is /ˈsɪsəli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.