How to pronounce species
Say it like SPEE-sheez. Species has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce species. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEE
- sheez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Species pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- sheezKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of species
American and British speakers say species in essentially the same way: /ˈspiʃiz/ in the US and /ˈspiːʃiz/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPEE-sheez.
What does species mean?
- (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
- a specific kind of something“a species of molecule”“a species of villainy”
Where does species come from?
From Latin speciēs (“appearance; quality”), from speciō (“see”) + -iēs suffix signifying abstract noun.
Questions about saying species
How do you pronounce species?
Say SPEE-sheez. The American pronunciation is /ˈspiʃiz/. In British English it is /ˈspiːʃiz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in species?
Species has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEE). Broken into parts: SPEE · sheez.
Do Americans and Brits say species the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspiʃiz/ and the British form is /ˈspiːʃiz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.