How to Pronounce “consume”

American (US)

/kənˈsum/

British (UK)

/kənˈsjuːm/

Australian (AU)

/kənˈsjʉːm/

verb — To use up.

Example: The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour.

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

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

consume (verb): To use up. For example — The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour.

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

American English: /kənˈsum/. British English: /kənˈsjuːm/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "consume"?

/kənˈsum/ in American English, /kənˈsjuːm/ in British English, /kənˈsjʉːm/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "consume"?

“consume” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈsum/ 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.