How to Pronounce “approximately”

American (US)

/əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/

British (UK)

/əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət.li/

adverb — Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.

Example: approximately 60 beats per minute.

Where the stress falls. “approximately” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ 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. /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ 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 "approximately" mean?

approximately (adverb): Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount. For example — approximately 60 beats per minute.

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

American English: /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/. British English: /əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət.li/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "approximately"?

/əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ in American English, /əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət.li/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "approximately"?

“approximately” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ 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.