How to pronounce symphony
Say it like SIM-fuh-nee. Symphony has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce symphony. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIM
- fuh
- nee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Symphony pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of symphony
American and British speakers say symphony in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪmfəni/ in the US and /ˈsɪmfəni/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIM-fuh-nee.
What does symphony mean?
- a long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra
- a large orchestra; can perform symphonies“we heard the Vienna symphony”
Questions about saying symphony
How do you pronounce symphony?
Say SIM-fuh-nee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪmfəni/. In British English it is /ˈsɪmfəni/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in symphony?
Symphony has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIM). Broken into parts: SIM · fuh · nee.
Do Americans and Brits say symphony the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪmfəni/ and the British form is /ˈsɪmfəni/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.