How do you pronounce "necessary"?

In American English: /ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ (NEHS-uh-sehr-ee). In British English: /nˈɛsəsəɹi/ (N-ehs-uhs-uhr). In Canadian English: /ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ (NEHS-uh-sehr-ee). In Australian English: /nˈɛsɪsəɹi/ (N-ehs-is-uhr).

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

Yes. In American English it's pronounced /ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/ (NEHS-uh-sehr-ee), while in British English it's /nˈɛsəsəɹi/ (N-ehs-uhs-uhr).

How to Pronounce "necessary"

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necessary

regional

/ˈnɛsəˌsɛri/

NEHS-uh-sehr-ee

Syllable Breakdown

nɛsnec·əes·sɛrsa·iry

Source

90%confidence📘 CMU Pronouncing Dictionary v0.7b

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Last updated: 2026-02-14