How to Pronounce “contemporary”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/
- British (UK)
- /kənˈtɛm.p(ə.)ɹə.ɹi/
What “contemporary” means
adjective — From the same time period, coexistent in time; contemporaneous.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “contemporary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/ 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. /kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "contemporary" mean?
contemporary (adjective): From the same time period, coexistent in time; contemporaneous.
How do you pronounce "contemporary" in American vs British English?
American English: /kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/. British English: /kənˈtɛm.p(ə.)ɹə.ɹi/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.
What is the IPA transcription of "contemporary"?
/kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/ in American English, /kənˈtɛm.p(ə.)ɹə.ɹi/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "contemporary"?
“contemporary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈtɛm.pəˌɹɛɹ.i/ 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.
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