How to Pronounce “dictionary”

American (US)

/ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/

British (UK)

/ˈdɪk.ʃə.nə.ɹi/

noun — A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each term's meanings or senses, often also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, translations, as well as other relevant information.

Example: If you want to know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary.

Where the stress falls. “dictionary” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/ 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 "dictionary" mean?

dictionary (noun): A reference work listing words or names from one or more languages, usually ordered alphabetically, explaining each term's meanings or senses, often also containing information on its etymology, pronunciation, usage, semantic relations, translations, as well as other relevant information. For example — If you want to know the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary.

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

American English: /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/. British English: /ˈdɪk.ʃə.nə.ɹi/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "dictionary"?

/ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/ in American English, /ˈdɪk.ʃə.nə.ɹi/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "dictionary"?

“dictionary” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɪk.ʃəˌnɛ.ɹi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

Find the Stressed Syllable — Rules That Work

How to locate the stressed syllable of any new English word: the noun-verb rule, suffix stress magnets, compound and prefix rules, and the dictionary habit.

• -ary and -ory endings