English pronunciation · Words Starting with E
Exam Pronunciation
Exam is pronounced ig-ZAM, IPA /ɪgˈzæm/.
ig-ZAM
US /ɪgˈzæm/ · UK /ɛgˈzæm/
Syllables: ig · ZAM (2 syllables, stress on syllable 2)
noun: A formal test of knowledge or ability, usually written and timed.
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Exam in a Sentence
- The exam lasts two hours and starts at nine.
- He passed the exam on his second attempt.
- She has an exam on Thursday and another on Friday.
Common Mispronunciations of Exam
Not EK-sam
Buzz the x here rather than hissing it, giving gz. Exam, exact, and exist all voice it because the stress falls after it.
Not EG-zam
Land the beat on ZAM and let the opening ig stay quick and light. Front stress makes the word sound clipped.
Tip: Compare examine and example: all three voice the x as gz because the stressed vowel follows. In excellent and exercise the stress comes first, so the x stays a hissed ks.
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