How to Pronounce “community”

American (US)

/k(ə)ˈmju.nə.ti/

British (UK)

/kəˈmjuːnɪ.ti/

Australian (AU)

/kəˈmjʉːnɪ.ti/

noun — A group sharing common characteristics, such as the same language, law, religion, or tradition.

Where the stress falls. “community” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /k(ə)ˈmju.nə.ti/ 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. /k(ə)ˈmju.nə.ti/ 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 "community" mean?

community (noun): A group sharing common characteristics, such as the same language, law, religion, or tradition.

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

American English: /k(ə)ˈmju.nə.ti/. British English: /kəˈmjuːnɪ.ti/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "community"?

/k(ə)ˈmju.nə.ti/ in American English, /kəˈmjuːnɪ.ti/ in British English, /kəˈmjʉːnɪ.ti/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "community"?

“community” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /k(ə)ˈmju.nə.ti/ 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.