How to Pronounce “confluence”

American (US)

/ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/

British (UK)

/ˈkɒn.flu.əns/

noun — The act of combining that occurs where two rivers meet.

Example: The confluence of the rivers produced a great rush of water.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “confluence” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “confluence” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/ 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. /ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/ 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 "confluence" mean?

confluence (noun): The act of combining that occurs where two rivers meet. For example — The confluence of the rivers produced a great rush of water.

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

American English: /ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/. British English: /ˈkɒn.flu.əns/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "confluence"?

/ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/ in American English, /ˈkɒn.flu.əns/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "confluence"?

“confluence” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑnˌflu.əns/ 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.