How to Pronounce “placebo”

American (US)

/pləˈsiːboʊ/

British (UK)

/pləˈsiːbəʊ/

Australian (AU)

/pləˈsiː.bəʉ/

noun — A harmless substance given in place of a drug, used as a control in trials.

Example: Half the group unknowingly received a placebo.

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

placebo (noun): A harmless substance given in place of a drug, used as a control in trials. For example — Half the group unknowingly received a placebo.

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

American English: /pləˈsiːboʊ/. British English: /pləˈsiːbəʊ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "placebo"?

/pləˈsiːboʊ/ in American English, /pləˈsiːbəʊ/ in British English, /pləˈsiː.bəʉ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "placebo"?

“placebo” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /pləˈsiːboʊ/ 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.