How to Pronounce “aluminium”

American (US)

/əˈluːmɪnəm/

British (UK)

/ˌæljʊˈmɪniəm/

Australian (AU)

/ˌæl.(j)ʊˈmɪn.i.əm/

noun — A light, silvery, corrosion-resistant metal; spelled 'aluminum' in American English.

Example: The frame is aluminium, so it weighs almost nothing.

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

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /əˈluːmɪnəm/ 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 "aluminium" mean?

aluminium (noun): A light, silvery, corrosion-resistant metal; spelled 'aluminum' in American English. For example — The frame is aluminium, so it weighs almost nothing.

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

American English: /əˈluːmɪnəm/. British English: /ˌæljʊˈmɪniəm/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "aluminium"?

/əˈluːmɪnəm/ in American English, /ˌæljʊˈmɪniəm/ in British English, /ˌæl.(j)ʊˈmɪn.i.əm/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "aluminium"?

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

US vs UK Word Pronunciations — 8 Words That Differ

Schedule, route, aluminium, garage, vitamin, vase, advertisement and privacy — the eight everyday words Americans and Brits say differently, with audio in both accents.

• Words spelled differently in US and UK