How to Pronounce “abbreviation”

American (US)

/əˌbɹi.viˈeɪ.ʃn̩/

British (UK)

/əˌbɹiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/

noun — The result of shortening or reducing; abridgment.

Where the stress falls. “abbreviation” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /əˌbɹi.viˈeɪ.ʃn̩/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /əˌbɹi.viˈeɪ.ʃn̩/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "abbreviation" mean?

abbreviation (noun): The result of shortening or reducing; abridgment.

How do you pronounce "abbreviation" in American vs British English?

American English: /əˌbɹi.viˈeɪ.ʃn̩/. British English: /əˌbɹiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "abbreviation"?

/əˌbɹi.viˈeɪ.ʃn̩/ in American English, /əˌbɹiː.viˈeɪ.ʃən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "abbreviation"?

“abbreviation” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /əˌbɹi.viˈeɪ.ʃn̩/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.