How to Pronounce “autonomous”

American (US)

/ɔˈtɑnəməs/

British (UK)

/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/

adjective — Governing itself independently.

Example: an autonomous territory.

Where the stress falls. “autonomous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɔˈtɑnəməs/ 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. /ɔˈtɑnəməs/ 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 "autonomous" mean?

autonomous (adjective): Governing itself independently. For example — an autonomous territory.

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

American English: /ɔˈtɑnəməs/. British English: /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "autonomous"?

/ɔˈtɑnəməs/ in American English, /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "autonomous"?

“autonomous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɔˈtɑnəməs/ 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.