How to Pronounce “familiar”

American (US)

/fəˈmɪl.jəɹ/

British (UK)

/fəˈmɪl.i.ə/

adjective — Known to one, or generally known; commonplace.

Example: There’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar.

Where the stress falls. “familiar” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /fəˈmɪl.jəɹ/ 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. /fəˈmɪl.jəɹ/ 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 "familiar" mean?

familiar (adjective): Known to one, or generally known; commonplace. For example — There’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar.

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

American English: /fəˈmɪl.jəɹ/. British English: /fəˈmɪl.i.ə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "familiar"?

/fəˈmɪl.jəɹ/ in American English, /fəˈmɪl.i.ə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "familiar"?

“familiar” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /fəˈmɪl.jəɹ/ 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.