How do you pronounce "abysmal"?

In American English: /əˈbɪzməl/ (uh-BIZM-uhl). In British English: /əbˈɪsməl/ (uhb-ISM-uhl). In Canadian English: /əˈbɪzməl/ (uh-BIZM-uhl). In Australian English: /ɐbˈɪsməl/ (ⱯB-ism).

Is "abysmal" pronounced differently in American and British English?

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /əˈbɪzməl/ (uh-BIZM-uhl), while in British English it's /əbˈɪsməl/ (uhb-ISM-uhl).

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abysmal

regional

/əˈbɪzməl/

uh-BIZM-uhl

Syllable Breakdown

əaby·bɪzmsm·əlal

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-12