How to Pronounce “postmodernism”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /pəʊstˈmɑdɚnɪzəm/
What “postmodernism” means
noun — Any style in art, architecture, literature, philosophy, etc., that reacts against an earlier modernist movement.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “postmodernism” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /pəʊstˈmɑdɚnɪzəm/ 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. /pəʊstˈmɑdɚnɪzəm/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "postmodernism" mean?
postmodernism (noun): Any style in art, architecture, literature, philosophy, etc., that reacts against an earlier modernist movement.
What is the IPA transcription of "postmodernism"?
/pəʊstˈmɑdɚnɪzəm/ in American English.
Which syllable is stressed in "postmodernism"?
“postmodernism” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /pəʊstˈmɑdɚnɪzəm/ 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.
Related words to practice
Browse the full word index or use the pronunciation tool.