How to Pronounce “cliché”

American (US)

/kliːˈʃeɪ/

British (UK)

/ˈkliːʃeɪ/

noun — A phrase or idea so overused that it has lost its force.

Example: The speech was one cliché after another.

Synonyms: platitude, truism

A loanword from French. The acute accent on “cliché” is doing real work — it marks the final e as a full vowel, /eɪ/. Without the accent English readers would default to a silent e.

Where the stress falls. “cliché” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kliːˈʃeɪ/ 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.

What does "cliché" mean?

cliché (noun): A phrase or idea so overused that it has lost its force. For example — The speech was one cliché after another.

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

American English: /kliːˈʃeɪ/. British English: /ˈkliːʃeɪ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "cliché"?

/kliːˈʃeɪ/ in American English, /ˈkliːʃeɪ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "cliché"?

“cliché” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kliːˈʃeɪ/ 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.