How to Pronounce “equanimity”

American (US)

/ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/

British (UK)

/ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/

noun — The state of being calm, stable and composed, especially under stress.

Where the stress falls. “equanimity” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/ 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. /ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/ 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 "equanimity" mean?

equanimity (noun): The state of being calm, stable and composed, especially under stress.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "equanimity", /ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/, 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 "equanimity"?

/ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/ in American English, /ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "equanimity"?

“equanimity” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti/ 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.