How to pronounce summons
Say it like SUHM-unz. Summons has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce summons. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHM
- unz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Summons pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- unzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of summons
American and British speakers say summons in essentially the same way: /ˈsʌmənz/ in the US and /ˈsʌmənz/ in the UK.
British respelling: SUHM-unz.
What does summons mean?
- A call to do something, especially to come.
- A notice summoning someone to appear in court, as a defendant, juror or witness.
- A demand for surrender.
- plural of summon How to pronounce summon
- To serve someone with a summons.
Where does summons come from?
From Middle English somouns (“order or command to do something”), borrowed from Old French sumunce (modern French semonce), from Vulgar Latin *summonsa, a noun use of the feminine past participle of summoneō, summonēre (“to summon”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying summons
How do you pronounce summons?
Say SUHM-unz. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌmənz/. In British English it is /ˈsʌmənz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in summons?
Summons has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHM). Broken into parts: SUHM · unz.
Do Americans and Brits say summons the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsʌmənz/ and the British form is /ˈsʌmənz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.