How to Pronounce “foreseeable”

American (US)

/fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/

British (UK)

/fɔːˈsiː.ə.bəl/

adjective — Able to be foreseen or anticipated.

Example: This project will not be finished in the foreseeable future.

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

Where the stress falls. “foreseeable” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/ 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. /fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/ 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 "foreseeable" mean?

foreseeable (adjective): Able to be foreseen or anticipated. For example — This project will not be finished in the foreseeable future.

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

American English: /fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/. British English: /fɔːˈsiː.ə.bəl/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "foreseeable"?

/fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/ in American English, /fɔːˈsiː.ə.bəl/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "foreseeable"?

“foreseeable” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /fɔɹˈsi.ə.bəl/ 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.