How to Pronounce “literature”

American (US)

/ˈlɪtərətʃər/

British (UK)

/ˈlɪtərətʃə/

noun — Written works of lasting artistic value, or the body of published work on a subject.

Example: The literature on the drug is thin.

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

Where the stress falls. “literature” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlɪtərətʃər/ 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. /ˈlɪtərətʃər/ 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 "literature" mean?

literature (noun): Written works of lasting artistic value, or the body of published work on a subject. For example — The literature on the drug is thin.

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

American English: /ˈlɪtərətʃər/. British English: /ˈlɪtərətʃə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "literature"?

/ˈlɪtərətʃər/ in American English, /ˈlɪtərətʃə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "literature"?

“literature” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˈlɪtərətʃər/ 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.

• Words that lose a syllable