How to Pronounce “galvanize”

American (US)

/ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/

British (UK)

/ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/

verb — To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means.

Example: We then galvanize the steel so that the zinc coating will sacrificially take the corrosion for many years.

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

Where the stress falls. “galvanize” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/ 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 "galvanize" mean?

galvanize (verb): To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means. For example — We then galvanize the steel so that the zinc coating will sacrificially take the corrosion for many years.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "galvanize", /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/, 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 "galvanize"?

/ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/ in American English, /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "galvanize"?

“galvanize” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.