How to pronounce zirconium
Say it like zer-KOH-nee-um. Zirconium has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce zirconium. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- zer
- KOH
- nee
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Zirconium pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- zerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- KOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of zirconium
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: zuh-KOH-nee-um.
What does zirconium mean?
- A chemical element (symbol Zr) with an atomic number of 40, a strong, lustrous, gray-white transition metal mainly used as a refractory and opacifier.
Where does zirconium come from?
From a New Latin coinage, from zircon.
Words that rhyme with zirconium
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of zirconium.
Questions about saying zirconium
How do you pronounce zirconium?
Say zer-KOH-nee-um. The American pronunciation is /zɚˈkoʊniəm/. In British English it is /zəˈkəʊniəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in zirconium?
Zirconium has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KOH). Broken into parts: zer · KOH · nee · um.
Is zirconium pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /zəˈkəʊniəm/ (zuh-KOH-nee-um).