How to pronounce "center"

center

Noun
American
/ˈsɛn.tɚ/

Syllable Breakdown

cen ter

How natives say center

British
/ˈsɛn.tə/

Syllable Breakdown

cen tre

How natives say center

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the 's' sound, like in 'see'.

  • Next, say 'en' as in 'ten'.

  • End with 'ter', similar to 'tur' in 'turtle'.

Common Mistakes

  • sen-tar

  • cen-der

  • cen-ter (with equal stress on both syllables)

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with the 's' sound, same as 'see'.

  • Continue with 'en', like 'ten'.

  • Finish with 'tuh', a relaxed 'uh' sound.

common mistakes

  • sen-tar

  • cen-der

  • cen-tra

FAQ

Where is the stress in 'center'?

The stress is on the first syllable: 'CEN-ter'.

Is 'center' pronounced the same in the UK?

It's slightly different; 'center' is pronounced as 'centre'.

How to avoid saying 'cen-der'?

Focus on keeping the 't' sharp and clear.

Definition

center

The middle point or part of something.

Word Family

central

/ˈsɛn.trəl/

adjective

Located in the center.

Example: The central area is crowded.

centrally

/ˈsɛn.trəli/

adverb

In a central way.

Example: They live centrally.

centered

/ˈsɛn.tɚd/

adjective

Balanced inside.

Example: She feels centered.

Key Pronunciation Differences

'Center' has emphasis on the first syllable while 'central' has emphasis on 'TRAL'.

'Centrally' extends to three syllables, unlike 'center'.

'Centered' involves an additional syllable for 'ed'.

Pro Tips

Focus on Syllables

Ensure you separate the word into clear syllables: 'cen' and 'ter'.

Stress the Start

Place emphasis on the 'CEN' for correct stress placement.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Center

agenda

/əˈdʒɛn.də/

amend

/əˈmɛnd/

anniversary

/ˌænɪˈvɜrsəri/

attend

/əˈtɛnd/

authorize

/ˈɔθəˌraɪz/

beforehand

/bɪˈfɔːrhænd/

chronicle

/ˈkrɑːnɪkl̩/

chronology

/krəˈnɑːlədʒi/

Other Categories

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