How to Pronounce “experience”

American (US)

/ɪkˈspɪriəns/

British (UK)

/ɪkˈspɪəriəns/

Australian (AU)

/ɪkˈspɪə.ɹi.əns/

noun — Practical contact with events over time, or the knowledge gained from it.

Example: Ten years of experience showed in how calmly she handled it.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ɪkˈspɪriəns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “experience” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “experience” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈspɪriəns/ 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. /ɪkˈspɪriəns/ 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 "experience" mean?

experience (noun): Practical contact with events over time, or the knowledge gained from it. For example — Ten years of experience showed in how calmly she handled it.

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

American English: /ɪkˈspɪriəns/. British English: /ɪkˈspɪəriəns/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "experience"?

/ɪkˈspɪriəns/ in American English, /ɪkˈspɪəriəns/ in British English, /ɪkˈspɪə.ɹi.əns/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "experience"?

“experience” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈspɪriəns/ 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.