Learn How to Pronounce seldom

Not sure how to say a word? Try the Promova pronunciation tool for free and learn how to pronounce anything in English correctly. Discover over 100,000 words and easily learn English pronunciation online!

Find your word:

Find how to pronounce a word and practice it in our free word pronouncer for English learners!

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

seldom

Phonetic Transcription:

ˈseldəm

Examples:

The bird seldom flies at night.

The format of the commercials seldom varied.

But the flip side of the coin is seldom mentioned.

Learn more about:
seldom

Related Words:

rare

How to perfect your pronunciation of: seldom

Learn Individual Sounds

Break seldom down into individual sounds such as ˈseldəm. Practice these parts before you learn to say the whole word.

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say seldom in their accents, then try to repeat after them.

Pick an Accent

Avoid mixing word pronunciations. If you’re learning American English, stick to it and try not to confuse yourself with British pronunciation.

Record Yourself

Say seldom in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with seldom.

Get a Native Tutor

Improve your pronunciation with native speakers! Practice with American, British, and Australian teachers on Promova.

Common mistakes of seldom pronunciation

Stress placement: Many learners incorrectly stress the second syllable, saying "sel-DOM" instead of "SEL-dom". Tip: Remember that the primary stress is on the first syllable, marked as /ˈsɛl.dəm/ in IPA.
Vowel sound confusion: Some pronounce "seldom" with a long "e" sound, as in "see", leading to "seeldom". Tip: The correct vowel sound is a short "e", like in "sell", pronounced /ˈsɛl.dəm/.
Final consonant clarity: It's common to drop the "d" sound at the end, resulting in "sel-um". Tip: Make sure to clearly pronounce the "d" in "seldom", as in /ˈsɛl.dəm/, to avoid confusion.
Mispronouncing the schwa: Some speakers say "seldum" with a strong "u" sound instead of the schwa. Tip: The second syllable should sound like "dəm", using the schwa /ə/ to keep it soft and unstressed.
Overemphasis on syllables: Learners sometimes add an extra syllable, pronouncing it as "sel-dum". Tip: Stick to the two syllables /ˈsɛl.dəm/ to maintain the correct pronunciation without adding unnecessary sounds.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "seldom" in American English?

In American English, "seldom" is pronounced as /ˈsɛl.dəm/. The first syllable has primary stress, making it sound like "SEL-dum."

Is there a difference in pronunciation of "seldom" between British and American English?

No, "seldom" is pronounced the same way in both British and American English, /ˈsɛl.dəm/. You can use it confidently regardless of the English variant you are speaking.

What syllable is stressed in the word "seldom"?

In "seldom," the stress is on the first syllable, pronounced as "SEL-dum." This pattern is common in two-syllable words where the first syllable receives the primary stress.

Are there any common mistakes when pronouncing "seldom"?

A common mistake is misplacing the stress, saying "sel-DOM" instead of "SEL-dum." Remember to keep the emphasis on the first syllable for correct pronunciation.