How to Pronounce “assess”

American (US)

/əˈsɛs/

British (UK)

/əˈsɛs/

Australian (AU)

/əˈses/

verb — To determine, estimate or judge the value of; to evaluate; to estimate.

Example: He assessed the situation.

Where the stress falls. “assess” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /əˈsɛs/ 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. /əˈsɛs/ 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 "assess" mean?

assess (verb): To determine, estimate or judge the value of; to evaluate; to estimate. For example — He assessed the situation.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "assess", /əˈsɛs/, 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 "assess"?

/əˈsɛs/ in American English, /əˈsɛs/ in British English, /əˈses/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "assess"?

“assess” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /əˈsɛs/ 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.

Cambridge C1/C2 Pronunciation — What Examiners Score in Speaking

How pronunciation is assessed at C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, the stress-shift words that mark advanced vocabulary, and the errors that cap your band.