How to pronounce significance
Say it like sug-NIF-ih-kuns. Significance has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NIF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce significance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sug
- NIF
- ih
- kuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Significance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sugKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of significance
American and British speakers say significance in essentially the same way: /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/ in the US and /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: sig-NIF-ih-kuns.
What does significance mean?
- the quality of being significant“do not underestimate the significance of nuclear power”
- a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred“the significance of his remark became clear only later”“the expectation was spread both by word and by implication”
- the message that is intended or expressed or signified“what is the meaning of this sentence”“the significance of a red traffic light”
Where does significance come from?
Inherited from Middle English significaunce, from Middle French significance, from Old French significance, from Latin significantia.
Questions about saying significance
How do you pronounce significance?
Say sug-NIF-ih-kuns. The American pronunciation is /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/. In British English it is /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in significance?
Significance has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NIF). Broken into parts: sug · NIF · ih · kuns.
Do Americans and Brits say significance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/ and the British form is /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.