How to Pronounce “simultaneous”

American (US)

/ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/

British (UK)

/ˌsɪm.əlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/

adjective — Happening at the same moment.

Where the stress falls. “simultaneous” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/ 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. /ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/ 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 "simultaneous" mean?

simultaneous (adjective): Happening at the same moment.

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

American English: /ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/. British English: /ˌsɪm.əlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "simultaneous"?

/ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/ in American English, /ˌsɪm.əlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "simultaneous"?

“simultaneous” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /ˌsaɪ̯.məlˈteɪ̯.ni.əs/ 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.