How to Pronounce “except”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ɪkˈsɛpt/
- British (UK)
- /ɪkˈsɛpt/
What “except” means
verb — To exclude; to specify as being an exception.
Example: I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “except” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈsɛpt/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "except" mean?
except (verb): To exclude; to specify as being an exception. For example — I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!
How do you pronounce "except" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "except", /ɪkˈsɛpt/, 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 "except"?
/ɪkˈsɛpt/ in American English, /ɪkˈsɛpt/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "except"?
“except” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈsɛpt/ 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.
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