Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

circumference

/sɚˈkʌmfɹəns/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.18 in modern English

Syllables
cir-cum-fer-ence
IPA
/sɚˈkʌmfɹəns/
24
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The line that bounds a circle or other two-dimensional figure.

noun

The length of such a line.

noun

The surface of a round or spherical object.

Obsolete

noun

The length of the longest cycle of a graph.

verb

To include in a circular space; to bound.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Latin circumferentia, from circum (“around”) + ferō (“to carry”). Displaced native Old English ymbgang.

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /sɚˈkʌmfɹəns/
  • British English: /sɜːˈkʌmfɹəns/

Usage

Inflected Forms

circumferences (plural) circumferences (present, singular) circumferencing (participle, present) circumferenced (participle, past) circumferenced (past)

Derived Forms

circumferenceless semicircumference

Frequently Paired Words

diameter radius perimeter

Synonyms

perimeter umstroke girth lap circuit

Questions

How do you pronounce circumference?
The recorded pronunciation is /sɚˈkʌmfɹəns/.
What does circumference mean?
The line that bounds a circle or other two-dimensional figure.
Where does circumference come from?
From Latin circumferentia, from circum (“around”) + ferō (“to carry”). Displaced native Old English ymbgang.

How to pronounce circumference

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “circumference”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/sɚˈkʌmfɹəns/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “circumference”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “circumference” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.