How to pronounce urbanize
Say it like UR-buh-nyze. Urbanize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce urbanize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UR
- buh
- nyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Urbanize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- URSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nyzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of urbanize
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UR-buh-nyze.
What does urbanize mean?
- To make something more urban in character.
- To take up an urban way of life.
Where does urbanize come from?
From urban + -ize.
Questions about saying urbanize
How do you pronounce urbanize?
Say UR-buh-nyze. The American pronunciation is /ˈɝbəˌnaɪz/. In British English it is /ˈɜːbəˌnaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in urbanize?
Urbanize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UR). Broken into parts: UR · buh · nyze.
Is urbanize 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 /ˈɜːbəˌnaɪz/ (UR-buh-nyze).