How to Pronounce “heritage”

American (US)

/ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/

British (UK)

/ˈhɛɹ.ɪ.tɪd͡ʒ/

Australian (AU)

/ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/

noun — An inheritance; property that may be inherited.

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

Where the stress falls. “heritage” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/ 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. /ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/ 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 "heritage" mean?

heritage (noun): An inheritance; property that may be inherited.

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

American English: /ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/. British English: /ˈhɛɹ.ɪ.tɪd͡ʒ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "heritage"?

/ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/ in American English, /ˈhɛɹ.ɪ.tɪd͡ʒ/ in British English, /ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "heritage"?

“heritage” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈhɛɹ.ə.tɪd͡ʒ/ 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.