Learn How to Pronounce significant

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:

Try:

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

How to pronounce:

Listen to the pronunciation:

significant

Phonetic Transcription:

sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt

Examples:

The verse of purification is the most important and significant verse.

The project is major so the starter of the project is also significant.

Are the blackboards significant

Learn more about:

significant

Related Words:

How to perfect your pronunciation of: significant

Learn Individual Sounds

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

Copy Others

Use the tools above to find out how different people say significant 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 significant in the pronunciation tool as many times as it takes before you get it right. Record yourself saying different sentences with significant.

Get a Native Tutor

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

Common mistakes of significant pronunciation

  1. Stress placement: Some learners place stress incorrectly on the second syllable, saying "sig-NIF-i-cant" instead of "sig-ˈnif-i-cant" (US) or "sig-ˈnɪf-ɪ-kənt" (UK). Tip: Remember to emphasize the third syllable for correct pronunciation.
  2. Vowel sound confusion: The vowel sound in the second syllable may be mispronounced as "i" instead of the short "ɪ". This leads to saying "sig-NIF-i-cant" instead of "sig-ˈnif-i-cant". Tip: Practice the short "ɪ" sound as in "sit".
  3. Dropping syllables: Some speakers might drop the second syllable, saying "sig-nificant" instead of "sig-ˈnif-i-cant". This can make the word unclear. Tip: Ensure to articulate all syllables clearly for better comprehension.
  4. Mispronouncing the final "cant": Some learners pronounce "cant" as "kant" instead of "kənt". This changes the meaning and clarity of "significant". Tip: Focus on the schwa sound "ə" to pronounce the last syllable correctly.
  5. Overemphasizing the "g": Occasionally, the "g" sound is overemphasized, leading to "sig-GNIF-i-cant". This is incorrect. Tip: Keep the "g" soft and natural to maintain the flow of the word.

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "significant" in American English?

In American English, "significant" is pronounced as /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/. The primary stress is on the second syllable, "nif," while the first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, like "sig."

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

Yes, in British English, "significant" is pronounced as /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ as well, so the pronunciation is the same as in American English. The stress remains on the second syllable, which is consistent across both dialects.

What is the schwa sound in "significant"?

In "significant," the last syllable contains a schwa sound, represented as /ə/. This sound is softer and less stressed, making it sound like "cant" instead of a fully pronounced "cant."

How many syllables are in the word "significant"?

The word "significant" has four syllables: sig-nif-i-cant. Each syllable is pronounced clearly, with the stress on the second syllable, making it easy to break down when practicing.
Improve your pronunciation with a convenient app anywhere, anytime