How to Pronounce “conscience”

American (US)

/ˈkɑːnʃəns/

British (UK)

/ˈkɒnʃəns/

noun — The inner sense of what is right and wrong that guides behaviour.

Example: His conscience would not let him keep the money.

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

Where the stress falls. “conscience” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑːnʃəns/ 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. /ˈkɑːnʃəns/ 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 "conscience" mean?

conscience (noun): The inner sense of what is right and wrong that guides behaviour. For example — His conscience would not let him keep the money.

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

American English: /ˈkɑːnʃəns/. British English: /ˈkɒnʃəns/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "conscience"?

/ˈkɑːnʃəns/ in American English, /ˈkɒnʃəns/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "conscience"?

“conscience” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈkɑːnʃəns/ 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.

• Silent C words