How to Pronounce “a priori”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /eɪ praɪˈɔːri/
- British (UK)
- /eɪ praɪˈɔːri/
What “a priori” means
adjective — Self-evident, intuitively obvious.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “a priori” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /eɪ praɪˈɔːri/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "a priori" mean?
a priori (adjective): Self-evident, intuitively obvious.
How do you pronounce "a priori" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "a priori", /eɪ praɪˈɔːri/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "a priori"?
/eɪ praɪˈɔːri/ in American English, /eɪ praɪˈɔːri/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "a priori"?
“a priori” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /eɪ praɪˈɔːri/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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