How to Pronounce “gratuitous”

American (US)

/ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/

British (UK)

/ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪt.əs/

adjective — Given freely; unearned.

Where the stress falls. “gratuitous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/ 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. /ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/ 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 "gratuitous" mean?

gratuitous (adjective): Given freely; unearned.

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

American English: /ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/. British English: /ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪt.əs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "gratuitous"?

/ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/ in American English, /ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪt.əs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "gratuitous"?

“gratuitous” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/ 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.