How to Pronounce “subsidiary”

American (US)

/səbˈsɪdieri/

British (UK)

/səbˈsɪdiəri/

noun — A company controlled by another, larger company.

Example: The bank sold its insurance subsidiary.

Where the stress falls. “subsidiary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /səbˈsɪdieri/ 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. /səbˈsɪdieri/ 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 "subsidiary" mean?

subsidiary (noun): A company controlled by another, larger company. For example — The bank sold its insurance subsidiary.

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

American English: /səbˈsɪdieri/. British English: /səbˈsɪdiəri/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "subsidiary"?

/səbˈsɪdieri/ in American English, /səbˈsɪdiəri/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "subsidiary"?

“subsidiary” has 5 syllables, and the transcription /səbˈsɪdieri/ 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.