How to pronounce temptation
Say it like tem-TAY-shun. Temptation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce temptation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tem
- TAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Temptation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- temKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- TAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of temptation
American and British speakers say temptation in essentially the same way: /tɛmˈteɪʃən/ in the US and /tɛmˈteɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: tem-TAY-shun.
What does temptation mean?
- something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
- the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid“he felt the temptation and his will power weakened”
- the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire“his enticements were shameless”
Where does temptation come from?
From Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio.
Words that rhyme with temptation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of temptation.
Questions about saying temptation
How do you pronounce temptation?
Say tem-TAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /tɛmˈteɪʃən/. In British English it is /tɛmˈteɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in temptation?
Temptation has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAY). Broken into parts: tem · TAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say temptation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /tɛmˈteɪʃən/ and the British form is /tɛmˈteɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.