How to Pronounce “nonchalant”

American (US)

/ˈnɑːnʃəlɑːnt/

British (UK)

/ˈnɒnʃələnt/

adjective — Casually calm and unconcerned.

Example: He was nonchalant about the whole disaster.

Synonyms: unruffled, casual

Antonyms: anxious

Where the stress falls. “nonchalant” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈnɑːnʃəlɑːnt/ 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. /ˈnɑːnʃəlɑːnt/ 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 "nonchalant" mean?

nonchalant (adjective): Casually calm and unconcerned. For example — He was nonchalant about the whole disaster.

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

American English: /ˈnɑːnʃəlɑːnt/. British English: /ˈnɒnʃələnt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "nonchalant"?

/ˈnɑːnʃəlɑːnt/ in American English, /ˈnɒnʃələnt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "nonchalant"?

“nonchalant” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈnɑːnʃəlɑːnt/ 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.