How to pronounce vacuum
Say it like VAK-yoom. Vacuum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vacuum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VAK
- yoom
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vacuum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- yoomKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of vacuum
American and British speakers say vacuum in essentially the same way: /ˈvækjum/ in the US and /ˈvækjuːm/ in the UK.
British respelling: VAK-yoom.
What does vacuum mean?
- the absence of matter
- an empty area or space“the huge desert voids”“the emptiness of outer space”
- a region that is devoid of matter
- clean with a vacuum cleaner“vacuum the carpets”
Where does vacuum come from?
The exercise sense comes from analogy to the sucking action of a vacuum cleaner.
Questions about saying vacuum
How do you pronounce vacuum?
Say VAK-yoom. The American pronunciation is /ˈvækjum/. In British English it is /ˈvækjuːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vacuum?
Vacuum has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VAK). Broken into parts: VAK · yoom.
Do Americans and Brits say vacuum the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈvækjum/ and the British form is /ˈvækjuːm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.