How to Pronounce “conjecture”

American (US)

/kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃɚ/

British (UK)

/kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃə/

Australian (AU)

/kənˈd͡ʒekt͡ʃə/

noun — A statement or an idea which is unproven, but is thought to be true; a guess.

Example: I explained it, but it is pure conjecture whether he understood, or not.

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

conjecture (noun): A statement or an idea which is unproven, but is thought to be true; a guess. For example — I explained it, but it is pure conjecture whether he understood, or not.

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

American English: /kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃɚ/. British English: /kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "conjecture"?

/kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃɚ/ in American English, /kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃə/ in British English, /kənˈd͡ʒekt͡ʃə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "conjecture"?

“conjecture” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈd͡ʒɛkt͡ʃɚ/ 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.