How to Pronounce “parliamentary”

American (US)

/ˌpɑɹləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/

British (UK)

/ˌpɑːləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/

Australian (AU)

/ˌpɐːləˈment(ə)ɹi/

adjective — Of, relating to, or enacted by a parliament.

Example: Parliamentary procedures are sometimes slow.

Where the stress falls. “parliamentary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌpɑɹləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌpɑɹləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/ 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 "parliamentary" mean?

parliamentary (adjective): Of, relating to, or enacted by a parliament. For example — Parliamentary procedures are sometimes slow.

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

American English: /ˌpɑɹləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/. British English: /ˌpɑːləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "parliamentary"?

/ˌpɑɹləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/ in American English, /ˌpɑːləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/ in British English, /ˌpɐːləˈment(ə)ɹi/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "parliamentary"?

“parliamentary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌpɑɹləˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.