How to Pronounce “reference”

American (US)

/ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/

British (UK)

/ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/

Australian (AU)

/ˈɹef.(ə.)ɹəns/

noun — A relationship or relation (to something).

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “reference” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “reference” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/ 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 "reference" mean?

reference (noun): A relationship or relation (to something).

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "reference", /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "reference"?

/ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/ in American English, /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/ in British English, /ˈɹef.(ə.)ɹəns/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "reference"?

“reference” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.