How to Pronounce “temperature”

American (US)

/ˈtemprətʃər/

British (UK)

/ˈtemprətʃə/

Australian (AU)

/ˈtem.p(ə.)ɹə.t͡ʃə/

noun — The degree of heat or cold, measured on a defined scale.

Example: The temperature dropped sharply after sunset.

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

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

temperature (noun): The degree of heat or cold, measured on a defined scale. For example — The temperature dropped sharply after sunset.

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

American English: /ˈtemprətʃər/. British English: /ˈtemprətʃə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "temperature"?

/ˈtemprətʃər/ in American English, /ˈtemprətʃə/ in British English, /ˈtem.p(ə.)ɹə.t͡ʃə/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "temperature"?

“temperature” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈtemprətʃər/ 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.

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