How to pronounce usury
Say it like YOO-zhuh-ree. Usury has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce usury. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YOO
- zhuh
- ree
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Usury 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.
- zhuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of usury
American and British speakers say usury in essentially the same way: /ˈjuʒəri/ in the US and /ˈjuːʒəri/ in the UK.
British respelling: YOO-zhuh-ree.
What does usury mean?
- An exorbitant rate of interest, in excess of any legal rates or at least immorally.
- The practice of lending money at such rates.
Where does usury come from?
From Middle English usurie, from Latin ūsūria, from ūsūra (“lending at interest, usury”) from ūsus (“use”), from stem of ūtī (“to use”).
Questions about saying usury
How do you pronounce usury?
Say YOO-zhuh-ree. The American pronunciation is /ˈjuʒəri/. In British English it is /ˈjuːʒəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in usury?
Usury has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (YOO). Broken into parts: YOO · zhuh · ree.
Do Americans and Brits say usury the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈjuʒəri/ and the British form is /ˈjuːʒəri/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.