How to Pronounce “eczema”

American (US)

/ɪɡˈziːmə/

British (UK)

/ˈeksɪmə/

noun — A condition in which patches of skin become itchy, red and cracked.

Example: The cream cleared the eczema on her hands.

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

eczema (noun): A condition in which patches of skin become itchy, red and cracked. For example — The cream cleared the eczema on her hands.

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

American English: /ɪɡˈziːmə/. British English: /ˈeksɪmə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "eczema"?

/ɪɡˈziːmə/ in American English, /ˈeksɪmə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "eczema"?

“eczema” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪɡˈziːmə/ 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.