How to Pronounce “questionnaire”

American (US)

/ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/

British (UK)

/ˌk(w)ɛstʃəˈnɛə/

noun — A set of written questions used to gather information from people.

Example: The questionnaire took ten minutes to complete.

Synonyms: survey

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “questionnaire” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “questionnaire” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/ 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. /ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/ 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 "questionnaire" mean?

questionnaire (noun): A set of written questions used to gather information from people. For example — The questionnaire took ten minutes to complete.

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

American English: /ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/. British English: /ˌk(w)ɛstʃəˈnɛə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "questionnaire"?

/ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/ in American English, /ˌk(w)ɛstʃəˈnɛə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "questionnaire"?

“questionnaire” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkwɛs.t͡ʃəˈnɛɹ/ 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.