English pronunciation · Words Starting with S
Shakespeare Pronunciation
Shakespeare is pronounced SHAYK-speer, IPA /ˈʃeɪkˌspir/.
SHAYK-speer
US /ˈʃeɪkˌspir/
Syllables: SHAYK · speer (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
noun (proper): The English playwright and poet William Shakespeare.
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Shakespeare in a Sentence
- Shakespeare was baptised in Stratford in 1564.
- We are doing Shakespeare this term.
- She can quote Shakespeare at length.
Common Mispronunciations of Shakespeare
Not SHA-kuh-speer
Two beats only, because the e in shake is silent and simply lengthens the a.
Not shayk-SPER
Hold the second part as speer, the eer of beer, with the beat up at the front.
Tip: Two beats, SHAYK-speer. The adjective Shakespearean moves the beat to shayk-SPEER-ee-uhn.
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