English pronunciation · Words Starting with A

Abysmal Pronunciation

Abysmal is pronounced uh-BIZ-muhl, IPA /əˈbɪzməl/.

uh-BIZ-muhl

US /əˈbɪzməl/  ·  UK /əˈbɪsməl/

Syllables: uh · BIZ · muhl (3 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

adjective: Extremely bad.

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Abysmal in a Sentence

  • The service was abysmal and the food was worse.
  • Turnout at the meeting was abysmal.
  • He got an abysmal mark in the second paper.

Common Mispronunciations of Abysmal

Not a-BY-smuhl

Clip the stressed vowel to the i of fizz. Abyss has a short vowel and the adjective keeps it.

Not A-biz-muhl

Land on BIZ in the middle, with a quick uh in front of it.

Tip: The s buzzes like a z, as it does in dismal, which this word rhymes with.

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