How do you pronounce "illuminating"?

In American English: /ˌɪˈluːməˌneɪtɪŋ/ (i-LOOM-uh-nayt-ing). In British English: /ɪlˈuːmɪnˌeɪtɪŋ/ (il-OOM-in-ayt-ing). In Canadian English: /ˌɪˈluːməˌneɪtɪŋ/ (i-LOOM-uh-nayt-ing). In Australian English: /ɪlˈuːmɪnˌeɪtɪŋ/ (il-OOM-in-ayt-ing).

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

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˌɪˈluːməˌneɪtɪŋ/ (i-LOOM-uh-nayt-ing), while in British English it's /ɪlˈuːmɪnˌeɪtɪŋ/ (il-OOM-in-ayt-ing).

How to Pronounce "illuminating"

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illuminating

regional

/ˌɪˈluːməˌneɪtɪŋ/

i-LOOM-uh-nayt-ing

Syllable Breakdown

ɪil·luːmlu·əmi·neɪtnat·ɪŋing

Source

80%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-14