How to Pronounce “fluoxetine”

American (US)

/fluːˈaksətiːn/

British (UK)

/fluːˈɒk.sə.tiːn/

noun — A synthetic compound which inhibits the uptake of serotonin in the brain and is taken to treat depression.

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

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

fluoxetine (noun): A synthetic compound which inhibits the uptake of serotonin in the brain and is taken to treat depression.

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

American English: /fluːˈaksətiːn/. British English: /fluːˈɒk.sə.tiːn/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "fluoxetine"?

/fluːˈaksətiːn/ in American English, /fluːˈɒk.sə.tiːn/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "fluoxetine"?

“fluoxetine” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /fluːˈaksətiːn/ 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.