How to pronounce sonority
Say it like suh-NOR-ih-tee. Sonority has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sonority. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- NOR
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sonority pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sonority
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: suh-NOR-ih-tee.
What does sonority mean?
- The property of being sonorous.
- Relative loudness (of a speech sound); degree of being sonorous.
Where does sonority come from?
From sonor(ous) + -ity, from French sonorité, from Latin sonōritās.
Questions about saying sonority
How do you pronounce sonority?
Say suh-NOR-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /səˈnɑrɪti/. In British English it is /səˈnɒrɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sonority?
Sonority has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NOR). Broken into parts: suh · NOR · ih · tee.
Is sonority pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /səˈnɒrɪti/ (suh-NOR-ih-tee).