How to Pronounce “metastasis”

American (US)

/məˈtæstəsəs/

British (UK)

/mɪˈtæstəsɪs/

noun — The spread of cancer from its original site to another part of the body.

Example: Scans showed no sign of metastasis.

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

metastasis (noun): The spread of cancer from its original site to another part of the body. For example — Scans showed no sign of metastasis.

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

American English: /məˈtæstəsəs/. British English: /mɪˈtæstəsɪs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "metastasis"?

/məˈtæstəsəs/ in American English, /mɪˈtæstəsɪs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "metastasis"?

“metastasis” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /məˈtæstəsəs/ 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.