English pronunciation · Words Starting with S

Species Pronunciation

Species is pronounced SPEE-sheez, IPA /ˈspiʃiz/.

SPEE-sheez

US /ˈspiʃiz/  ·  UK /ˈspiːsiːz/

Syllables: SPEE · sheez (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

noun (singular and plural): A group of living things whose members can breed with each other.

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Species in a Sentence

  • Three species of bat live in the valley.
  • This species is found only on one island.
  • Rising temperatures are pushing the species north.

Common Mispronunciations of Species

Not SPE-sees

The opening vowel is long, matching the spee of speech. A short e belongs to special, which comes from the same root but shortened.

Not SPE-shee-eez

Two syllables, not three. The ies at the end is a single eez.

Tip: Species is its own plural. One species, nine species, never nine specieses.

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