How to Pronounce “continuum”

American (US)

/kənˈtɪnjuəm/

British (UK)

/kənˈtɪnjuəm/

noun — A continuous series or whole, no part of which is noticeably different from its adjacent parts, although the ends or extremes of it are very different from each other.

Where the stress falls. “continuum” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈtɪnjuəm/ 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. /kənˈtɪnjuəm/ 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 "continuum" mean?

continuum (noun): A continuous series or whole, no part of which is noticeably different from its adjacent parts, although the ends or extremes of it are very different from each other.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "continuum", /kənˈtɪnjuəm/, 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 "continuum"?

/kənˈtɪnjuəm/ in American English, /kənˈtɪnjuəm/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "continuum"?

“continuum” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈtɪnjuəm/ 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.