How to Pronounce “Bicester”

American (US)

/ˈbɪstər/

British (UK)

/ˈbɪstə/

proper noun — A town and civil parish with a town council in Cherwell district, Oxfordshire, England.

Where the stress falls. “Bicester” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈbɪstər/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈbɪstər/ 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 "Bicester" mean?

Bicester (proper noun): A town and civil parish with a town council in Cherwell district, Oxfordshire, England.

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

American English: /ˈbɪstər/. British English: /ˈbɪstə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Bicester"?

/ˈbɪstər/ in American English, /ˈbɪstə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Bicester"?

“Bicester” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈbɪstər/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.