How to pronounce velocity
Say it like vuh-LOS-uh-tee. Velocity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOS).
- vuh
- LOS
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Velocity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of velocity
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: vuh-LOS-ih-tee.
What does velocity mean?
- A vector quantity that denotes the rate of change of position with respect to time, combining speed with a directional component.“A car racing in a circle may retain the same speed while continually changing its velocity.”
- A rapidity of motion.“The train was travelling at a slower velocity than usual.”
- The rate of occurrence.
Where does velocity come from?
From Middle French vélocité, from Latin vēlōcitās (“speed”), from vēlōx (“fast”), thus a doublet of veloce.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with velocity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of velocity.
Questions about saying velocity
How do you pronounce velocity?
Say vuh-LOS-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /vəˈlɑsəti/. In British English it is /vəˈlɒsɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in velocity?
Velocity has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOS). Broken into parts: vuh · LOS · uh · tee.
Is velocity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /vəˈlɒsɪti/ (vuh-LOS-ih-tee).