How to Pronounce “conspicuous”

American (US)

/kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/

British (UK)

/kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/

adjective — Standing out so as to be clearly visible.

Example: His absence was conspicuous.

Synonyms: noticeable, obvious

Antonyms: inconspicuous

Where the stress falls. “conspicuous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ 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. /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ 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 "conspicuous" mean?

conspicuous (adjective): Standing out so as to be clearly visible. For example — His absence was conspicuous.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "conspicuous", /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "conspicuous"?

/kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ in American English, /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "conspicuous"?

“conspicuous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ 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.