How to Pronounce “synagogue”

American (US)

/ˈsɪnəˌɡɑɡ/

British (UK)

/ˈsɪnəɡɒɡ/

noun — A place of worship for Jews.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈsɪnəˌɡɑɡ/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “synagogue” is not pronounced.

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

synagogue (noun): A place of worship for Jews.

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

American English: /ˈsɪnəˌɡɑɡ/. British English: /ˈsɪnəɡɒɡ/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "synagogue"?

/ˈsɪnəˌɡɑɡ/ in American English, /ˈsɪnəɡɒɡ/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "synagogue"?

“synagogue” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsɪnəˌɡɑɡ/ 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.