How to Pronounce "anxiety"
The correct pronunciation of "anxiety" is ang-ZY-uh-tee /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "ANK-shy-ty" habit for good.
anxiety
/æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/A feeling of worry or nervousness.
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Record yourself saying “anxiety” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "ANK-shy-ty" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "ANK-shy-ty" or "ang-ZHY-ty" — using /ks/ or squeezing out a syllable. | ang-ZY-uh-tee /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Second syllable (ZY). |
How Do You Pronounce "anxiety"?
"anxiety" is pronounced ang-ZY-uh-tee /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/. The stress is on the second syllable (ZY). As a noun, it means a feeling of worry or nervousness.
The "x" is a voiced /gz/ → "ang-ZY", and the stress is on "ZY": ang-ZY-uh-tee.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "anxiety" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
ang-ZY-uh-tee — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Second syllable (ZY). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The "x" is a voiced /gz/ → "ang-ZY", and the stress is on "ZY": ang-ZY-uh-tee.
Blend and repeat
Now say "anxiety" at normal speed: ang-ZY-uh-tee. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "anxiety" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
say my → zy → ang-ZY
'ZY' rhymes with 'my' — the x buzzes like 'gz', not 'ksh'.
ang → ZY → uh → tee: ang-ZY-uh-tee
Four beats, with the stress on ZY.
NOT ANK-shy-ty — ang-ZY-uh-tee
'ksh' belongs to anxious; the noun switches to a voiced 'gz'.
At speed: practice reduces interview anxiety
Keep ZY the loudest beat inside the phrase.
Why "anxiety" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
The adjective "anxious" (ANK-shus) uses /kʃ/, so learners carry that sound into the noun — but the noun switches to /gz/.
Tip: Four beats: ang — ZY — uh — tee. "ZY" rhymes with "my".
Hear “anxiety” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Speaking English in public gave me anxiety.
Practice reduces interview anxiety.
She manages exam anxiety with breathing exercises.
Words Related to "anxiety"
Related: anxious
The adjective DOES use "ksh": ANK-shus.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "anxiety" right on its own is the easy part. Pronunciation only sticks in connected speech. Read a passage aloud and get scored on accuracy and pace, word by word — free, no login.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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