How to Pronounce “psychology”

American (US)

/saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/

British (UK)

/saɪˈkɒl.ə.d͡ʒɪ/

Australian (AU)

/sɑɪˈkɔl.ə.d͡ʒɪ/

noun — The study of the human mind.

The p is silent. “psychology” comes through Greek, where ps- was a single sound English never adopted. The p is dropped: the word begins on /s/.

Where the stress falls. “psychology” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ 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. /saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ 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 "psychology" mean?

psychology (noun): The study of the human mind.

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

American English: /saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/. British English: /saɪˈkɒl.ə.d͡ʒɪ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "psychology"?

/saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ in American English, /saɪˈkɒl.ə.d͡ʒɪ/ in British English, /sɑɪˈkɔl.ə.d͡ʒɪ/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "psychology"?

“psychology” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ 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.

Silent P — Psychology, Pneumonia, Receipt and the Greek ps- Rule

The silent p of Greek ps-, pn- and pt- clusters, the never-spoken p of receipt, the surprise p of raspberry and cupboard, and the words where the p is fully pronounced.

• Silent P words