How to Pronounce “synthesis”

American (US)

/ˈsɪnθəsɪs/

British (UK)

/ˈsɪnθəsɪs/

Australian (AU)

/ˈsɪnθəsɪs/

noun — The formation of something complex or coherent by combining simpler things.

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

synthesis (noun): The formation of something complex or coherent by combining simpler things.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "synthesis", /ˈsɪnθəsɪs/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "synthesis"?

/ˈsɪnθəsɪs/ in American English, /ˈsɪnθəsɪs/ in British English, /ˈsɪnθəsɪs/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "synthesis"?

“synthesis” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈsɪnθəsɪs/ 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.