How to pronounce sovereignty
Say it like SOV-run-tee. Sovereignty has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sovereignty. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SOV
- run
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sovereignty pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- runKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of sovereignty
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SOV-rin-tee.
What does sovereignty mean?
- government free from external control
- royal authority; the dominion of a monarch
- the authority of a state to govern another state
Where does sovereignty come from?
From Late Middle English sovereynte, souvereynte [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman sovereyneté, soverentee, and Old French soveraineté, souveraineté (modern French souveraineté), from soverain + -té (suffix forming nouns, often denoting
Questions about saying sovereignty
How do you pronounce sovereignty?
Say SOV-run-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɑvrənti/. In British English it is /ˈsɒvrɪnti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sovereignty?
Sovereignty has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOV). Broken into parts: SOV · run · tee.
Is sovereignty 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 /ˈsɒvrɪnti/ (SOV-rin-tee).