How to Pronounce “Parkinson's”

American (US)

/ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz/

British (UK)

/ˈpɑːkɪnsənz/

noun — Ellipsis of Parkinson's disease.

Where the stress falls. “Parkinson's” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz/ 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. /ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz/ 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 "Parkinson's" mean?

Parkinson's (noun): Ellipsis of Parkinson's disease.

How do you pronounce "Parkinson's" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz/. British English: /ˈpɑːkɪnsənz/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "Parkinson's"?

/ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz/ in American English, /ˈpɑːkɪnsənz/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "Parkinson's"?

“Parkinson's” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈpɑːrkɪnsənz/ 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.