How to Pronounce “idiosyncratic”

American (US)

/ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk/

British (UK)

/ˌɪdiəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk/

Australian (AU)

/ˌɪd.i.əʉ.sɪŋˈkɹæt.ɪk/

adjective — Peculiar to one individual; distinctly personal.

Example: His filing system is idiosyncratic but effective.

Synonyms: distinctive, peculiar

Where the stress falls. “idiosyncratic” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fifth one — so the fifth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk/ 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 "idiosyncratic" mean?

idiosyncratic (adjective): Peculiar to one individual; distinctly personal. For example — His filing system is idiosyncratic but effective.

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

American English: /ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk/. British English: /ˌɪdiəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "idiosyncratic"?

/ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk/ in American English, /ˌɪdiəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk/ in British English, /ˌɪd.i.əʉ.sɪŋˈkɹæt.ɪk/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "idiosyncratic"?

“idiosyncratic” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪdiəsɪnˈkrætɪk/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fifth one — so the fifth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.