How to pronounce silence
Say it like SY-luns. Silence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce silence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SY
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Silence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of silence
American and British speakers say silence in essentially the same way: /ˈsaɪləns/ in the US and /ˈsaɪləns/ in the UK.
British respelling: SY-luns.
What does silence mean?
- the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)“there was a shocked silence”“he gestured for silence”
- the absence of sound“he needed silence in order to sleep”“the street was quiet”
- a refusal to speak when expected“his silence about my contribution was surprising”
- cause to be quiet or not talk“Please silence the children in the church!”
- keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure“All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power”
Where does silence come from?
From Middle English silence, from Old French silence, from Latin silentium (“silence”), from silēns (“quiet, silent”, present participle of silēre) + -ium.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying silence
How do you pronounce silence?
Say SY-luns. The American pronunciation is /ˈsaɪləns/. In British English it is /ˈsaɪləns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in silence?
Silence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SY). Broken into parts: SY · luns.
Do Americans and Brits say silence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsaɪləns/ and the British form is /ˈsaɪləns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.