English pronunciation · Words Starting with P

Privacy Pronunciation

Privacy is pronounced PRY-vuh-see, IPA /ˈpraɪvəsi/.

PRY-vuh-see

US /ˈpraɪvəsi/  ·  UK /ˈprɪvəsi/

Syllables: PRY · vuh · see (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

noun: The state of being free from being watched or having your information shared.

Audio for the American and British pronunciations plays on this page with JavaScript enabled.

Privacy in a Sentence

  • The hedge gives the garden a bit of privacy.
  • She read the privacy policy before signing up.
  • Patients have a right to privacy in the waiting area.

Common Mispronunciations of Privacy

Not pry-VAY-see

Only the first syllable is stressed, and the rest fall away quickly: PRY-vuh-see. Nothing in this word takes a second beat.

Tip: This is the best known vowel split between the two standards. Americans say PRY-vuh-see, most British speakers say PRIV-uh-see, and both are correct.

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