How to Pronounce “complement”

American (US)

/ˈkɑmpləmənt/

British (UK)

/ˈkɒmpləmənt/

noun — The totality, the full amount or number which completes something.

Where the stress falls. “complement” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑmpləmənt/ 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. /ˈkɑmpləmənt/ 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 "complement" mean?

complement (noun): The totality, the full amount or number which completes something.

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

American English: /ˈkɑmpləmənt/. British English: /ˈkɒmpləmənt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "complement"?

/ˈkɑmpləmənt/ in American English, /ˈkɒmpləmənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "complement"?

“complement” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑmpləmənt/ 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.