How to Pronounce “résumé”

American (US)

/ˈrezəmeɪ/

British (UK)

/ˈrezjuːmeɪ/

noun — Alternative spelling of resume (“a summary, especially of employment history”).

A loanword from French. Two different words share this spelling in English. The verb (“to resume”) has a silent final e; the noun “résumé”, from French, pronounces both accented vowels — “REZ-oo-may”.

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

résumé (noun): Alternative spelling of resume (“a summary, especially of employment history”).

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

American English: /ˈrezəmeɪ/. British English: /ˈrezjuːmeɪ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "résumé"?

/ˈrezəmeɪ/ in American English, /ˈrezjuːmeɪ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "résumé"?

“résumé” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈrezəmeɪ/ 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.