How to Pronounce "pronunciation"
The correct pronunciation of "pronunciation" is pruh-nun-see-AY-shun /prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "pro-NOUN-see-ay-shun" habit for good.
pronunciation
/prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/The way in which a word is spoken.
Practice more words like this in the Pronunciation Challenge — a free mic test, no login.
Tap play to hear “pronunciation”, then say it aloud and get a free instant clarity check with your microphone.Get your real pronunciation score
Record yourself saying “pronunciation” and get a real, AI-graded score with word-by-word feedback — no account needed.
Record yourself saying “pronunciation” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "pro-NOUN-see-ay-shun" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "pro-NOUN-see-ay-shun", carrying the "noun" sound over from "pronounce". | pruh-nun-see-AY-shun /prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Fourth syllable (AY). |
How Do You Pronounce "pronunciation"?
"pronunciation" is pronounced pruh-nun-see-AY-shun /prəˌnʌn.siˈeɪ.ʃən/. The stress is on the fourth syllable (AY). As a noun, it means the way in which a word is spoken.
The second syllable is "NUN" — there is no "noun" in pronunciation, even though the verb is "pronounce".
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "pronunciation" 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
pruh-nun-see-AY-shun — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Fourth syllable (AY). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
The second syllable is "NUN" — there is no "noun" in pronunciation, even though the verb is "pronounce".
Blend and repeat
Now say "pronunciation" at normal speed: pruh-nun-see-AY-shun. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "pronunciation" (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.
nun → pruh-NUN → pruh-nun-see-AY-shun
The second syllable is exactly "nun" — never "noun".
NOT pro-NOUN-see-ay-shun — pruh-nun-see-AY-shun
Only the verb "pronounce" keeps the "ow"; the noun says nun.
Say at speed: "Her pronunciation improved after daily practice."
Say nun in the middle and hit AY hardest.
Why "pronunciation" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
The verb "pronounce" has /aʊ/ (ow), so learners assume the noun keeps it. The noun changes the vowel to /ʌ/.
Tip: Say "nun" (like the religious sister) in the middle: pruh-NUN-see-AY-shun.
Hear “pronunciation” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Her pronunciation improved after daily practice.
Check the pronunciation in a dictionary first.
Good pronunciation makes you easier to understand.
Words Related to "pronunciation"
Related: pronounce
The verb DOES have the "ow" sound: pruh-NOWNSS.
Now say it inside a sentence
Getting "pronunciation" 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.
Practice "pronunciation" — and every other word — anywhere on the web
Highlight any sentence on any website or YouTube video, read it aloud, and get an instant clarity score with word-by-word feedback — the same check you just tried above, everywhere you read.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce "pronunciation" in Indian English?
What is the most common mistake when saying "pronunciation"?
Why do Indian English speakers find "pronunciation" hard to pronounce?
Hear How Your English Really Sounds
Read a passage aloud and get scored word by word, with misread words highlighted and the sounds behind them a tap away. Used by 30,000+ learners.
Read Aloud, scored per word
Misread words highlighted
AI tutor voice calls