How to pronounce surpass
Say it like ser-PAS. Surpass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce surpass. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ser
- PAS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Surpass pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- serKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- PASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of surpass
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: suh-PAHS.
What does surpass mean?
- To go beyond or exceed (something) in an adjudicative or literal sense.“The former problem student surpassed his instructor's expectations and scored top marks on his examination.”
Where does surpass come from?
From Middle French surpasser (“to pass beyond”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with surpass
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of surpass.
Questions about saying surpass
How do you pronounce surpass?
Say ser-PAS. The American pronunciation is /sɚˈpæs/. In British English it is /səˈpɑːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in surpass?
Surpass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAS). Broken into parts: ser · PAS.
Is surpass pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /səˈpɑːs/ (suh-PAHS).