How to Pronounce "prestige"
The correct pronunciation of "prestige" is pre-STEEZH /preˈstiːʒ/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "PRES-tij" habit for good.
prestige
/preˈstiːʒ/Widespread respect and admiration earned through achievement or quality.
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Record yourself saying “prestige” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "PRES-tij" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "PRES-tij" with a short vowel and the hard 'j' of 'judge'. | pre-STEEZH /preˈstiːʒ/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Second syllable (STEEZH). |
How Do You Pronounce "prestige"?
"prestige" is pronounced pre-STEEZH /preˈstiːʒ/. The stress is on the second syllable (STEEZH). As a noun, it means widespread respect and admiration earned through achievement or quality.
The 'ge' is a soft 'zh' and 'i' is a long 'ee': pre-STEEZH, not 'pres-tij'.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "prestige" 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
pre-STEEZH — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Second syllable (STEEZH). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The 'ge' is a soft 'zh' and 'i' is a long 'ee': pre-STEEZH, not 'pres-tij'.
Blend and repeat
Now say "prestige" at normal speed: pre-STEEZH. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "prestige" (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.
measure → pre-STEEZH
The 'ge' is the 'zh' of 'measure'.
NOT PRES-tij — pre-STEEZH
Long 'ee', soft 'zh', stress the second beat.
Say at speed: "The award carries great prestige."
Keep the ending soft.
Why "prestige" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian speakers read 'ge' as /dʒ/, but in this French loanword it is the soft 'zh' with a long 'ee'.
Tip: Say 'pre' then a stressed 'STEEZH' with the 'zh' of 'measure': pre-STEEZH.
Hear “prestige” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
The award carries great prestige.
It is a job of high prestige.
They value prestige over pay.
Words Related to "prestige"
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "prestige" 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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