How to Pronounce “comparison”

American (US)

/kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/

British (UK)

/kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/

Australian (AU)

/kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/

noun — The act of comparing or the state or process of being compared.

Example: to bring a thing into comparison with another.

Where the stress falls. “comparison” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/ 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. /kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/ 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 "comparison" mean?

comparison (noun): The act of comparing or the state or process of being compared. For example — to bring a thing into comparison with another.

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

American English: /kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/. British English: /kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "comparison"?

/kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/ in American English, /kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/ in British English, /kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "comparison"?

“comparison” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kəmˈpɛɹ.ɪ.sən/ 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.