How to pronounce symptom
Say it like SIMP-tum. Symptom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIMP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce symptom. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SIMP
- tum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Symptom pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SIMPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of symptom
American and British speakers say symptom in essentially the same way: /ˈsɪmptəm/ in the US and /ˈsɪmptəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: SIMP-tum.
What does symptom mean?
- (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
- anything that accompanies X and is regarded as an indication of X's existence
Questions about saying symptom
How do you pronounce symptom?
Say SIMP-tum. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɪmptəm/. In British English it is /ˈsɪmptəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in symptom?
Symptom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SIMP). Broken into parts: SIMP · tum.
Do Americans and Brits say symptom the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsɪmptəm/ and the British form is /ˈsɪmptəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.