How to Pronounce “ibuprofen”

American (US)

/ˌaɪbjuːˈproʊfən/

British (UK)

/ˌaɪbjuːˈprəʊfən/

noun — A common anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain, swelling and fever.

Example: She took ibuprofen for the swelling.

Where the stress falls. “ibuprofen” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌaɪbjuːˈproʊfən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌaɪbjuːˈproʊfən/ 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 "ibuprofen" mean?

ibuprofen (noun): A common anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain, swelling and fever. For example — She took ibuprofen for the swelling.

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

American English: /ˌaɪbjuːˈproʊfən/. British English: /ˌaɪbjuːˈprəʊfən/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "ibuprofen"?

/ˌaɪbjuːˈproʊfən/ in American English, /ˌaɪbjuːˈprəʊfən/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "ibuprofen"?

“ibuprofen” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌaɪbjuːˈproʊfən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.