How to Pronounce “dexamethasone”

American (US)

/ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.əˌsoʊn/

British (UK)

/ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.ə.səʊn/

noun — A synthetic member of the glucocorticoid-class of steroid hormones, having the chemical formula C22H29FO5, and used especially as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Example: Many dexamethasones act as anti-inflammatory agents.

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

Where the stress falls. “dexamethasone” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.əˌsoʊn/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.əˌsoʊn/ 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 "dexamethasone" mean?

dexamethasone (noun): A synthetic member of the glucocorticoid-class of steroid hormones, having the chemical formula C22H29FO5, and used especially as an anti-inflammatory agent. For example — Many dexamethasones act as anti-inflammatory agents.

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

American English: /ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.əˌsoʊn/. British English: /ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.ə.səʊn/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "dexamethasone"?

/ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.əˌsoʊn/ in American English, /ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.ə.səʊn/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "dexamethasone"?

“dexamethasone” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌdɛk.səˈmɛθ.əˌsoʊn/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.