How to Pronounce “sustainability”

American (US)

/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/

British (UK)

/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/

Australian (AU)

/səˌstæɪnəˈbɪlɪti/

noun — The ability to sustain something.

Example: The making of buggy whips is the proverbial exemplar of a business without sustainability in the face of technological change.

Where the stress falls. “sustainability” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ 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 "sustainability" mean?

sustainability (noun): The ability to sustain something. For example — The making of buggy whips is the proverbial exemplar of a business without sustainability in the face of technological change.

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

American English: /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/. British English: /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "sustainability"?

/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ in American English, /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/ in British English, /səˌstæɪnəˈbɪlɪti/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "sustainability"?

“sustainability” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.