How to Pronounce “environment”

American (US)

/ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/

British (UK)

/ɪnˈvaɪ.ɹə.mənt/

noun — The surroundings in which something exists, or the natural world as a whole.

Example: The office is a quiet environment to work in.

Synonyms: surroundings, setting

Where the stress falls. “environment” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/ 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. /ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/ 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 "environment" mean?

environment (noun): The surroundings in which something exists, or the natural world as a whole. For example — The office is a quiet environment to work in.

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

American English: /ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/. British English: /ɪnˈvaɪ.ɹə.mənt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "environment"?

/ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/ in American English, /ɪnˈvaɪ.ɹə.mənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "environment"?

“environment” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈvaɪ.ɚn.mənt/ 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.

• IELTS pronunciation words