How to Pronounce “dilemma”

American (US)

/daɪˈlɛmə/

British (UK)

/daɪˈlɛmə/

Australian (AU)

/dɑeˈlemə/

noun — A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

Where the stress falls. “dilemma” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /daɪˈlɛmə/ 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. /daɪˈlɛmə/ 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 "dilemma" mean?

dilemma (noun): A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "dilemma", /daɪˈlɛmə/, 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 "dilemma"?

/daɪˈlɛmə/ in American English, /daɪˈlɛmə/ in British English, /dɑeˈlemə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "dilemma"?

“dilemma” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /daɪˈlɛmə/ 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.