How to pronounce usage
Say it like YOO-suj. Usage has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO).
- YOO
- suj
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Usage pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- sujKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of usage
American and British speakers say usage in essentially the same way: /ˈjusədʒ/ in the US and /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/ in the UK.
British respelling: YOO-sij.
What does usage mean?
- the act of using“he warned against the use of narcotic drugs”“skilled in the utilization of computers”
- accepted or habitual practice
- the customary manner in which a language (or a form of a language) is spoken or written“English usage”“a usage borrowed from French”
Where does usage come from?
From Middle English usage, from Anglo-Norman and Old French usage.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- use
- utilization
- utilisation
- employment
- exercise
Questions about saying usage
How do you pronounce usage?
Say YOO-suj. The American pronunciation is /ˈjusədʒ/. In British English it is /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in usage?
Usage has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO). Broken into parts: YOO · suj.
Do Americans and Brits say usage the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈjusədʒ/ and the British form is /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.