How to Pronounce “chasm”

American (US)

/ˈkæzəm/

British (UK)

/ˈkæzəm/

noun — A deep fissure in the earth, or a wide difference between two positions.

Example: A chasm had opened between the two sides of the argument.

Synonyms: gulf, abyss, rift

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

chasm (noun): A deep fissure in the earth, or a wide difference between two positions. For example — A chasm had opened between the two sides of the argument.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "chasm", /ˈkæzəm/, 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 "chasm"?

/ˈkæzəm/ in American English, /ˈkæzəm/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "chasm"?

“chasm” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkæzəm/ 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.