How to Pronounce “antecedent”

American (US)

/ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/

British (UK)

/ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/

adjective — Earlier, either in time or in order.

Example: an antecedent cause.

Where the stress falls. “antecedent” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/ 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.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/ 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 "antecedent" mean?

antecedent (adjective): Earlier, either in time or in order. For example — an antecedent cause.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "antecedent", /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/, 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 "antecedent"?

/ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/ in American English, /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "antecedent"?

“antecedent” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌæntɪˈsiːdənt/ 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.