How to pronounce wisdom
Say it like WIZ-dum. Wisdom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wisdom. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIZ
- dum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wisdom pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WIZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- dumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of wisdom
American and British speakers say wisdom in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪzdəm/ in the US and /ˈwɪzdəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIZ-dum.
What does wisdom mean?
- accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
- the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight
- ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
Where does wisdom come from?
From Middle English wisdom, from Old English wīsdōm (“wisdom”), from Proto-West Germanic *wīsadōm, from Proto-Germanic *wīsadōmaz (“wisdom”), corresponding to wise + -dom.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying wisdom
How do you pronounce wisdom?
Say WIZ-dum. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪzdəm/. In British English it is /ˈwɪzdəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wisdom?
Wisdom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIZ). Broken into parts: WIZ · dum.
Do Americans and Brits say wisdom the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪzdəm/ and the British form is /ˈwɪzdəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.