How to Pronounce “minute”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˈmɪnɪt/
- British (UK)
- /ˈmɪnɪt/
What “minute” means
noun — A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds).
Example: You have twenty minutes to complete the test.
Pronunciation Notes
The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈmɪnɪt/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “minute” is not pronounced.
Where the stress falls. “minute” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈmɪnɪt/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "minute" mean?
minute (noun): A unit of time which is one sixtieth of an hour (sixty seconds). For example — You have twenty minutes to complete the test.
How do you pronounce "minute" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "minute", /ˈmɪnɪt/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "minute"?
/ˈmɪnɪt/ in American English, /ˈmɪnɪt/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "minute"?
“minute” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈmɪnɪt/ 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.
Related words to practice
Practice lists with this word
Browse the full word index or use the pronunciation tool.