How to Pronounce Except

To pronounce "except", say EXC-ept — 2 syllables, IPA /ɪkˈsɛpt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

except

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

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Syllables

Letters

/ɪkˈsɛpt/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “except”

"except" has 2 syllables: exc-ept. It rhymes with adept and inept, if that helps it stick.

What does except mean?

verb

To exclude; to specify as being an exception.
To take exception, to object (to or against).
“to except to a witness or his testimony”

preposition

With the exception of; but.
“There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.”

conjunction

With the exception (that); used to introduce a clause, phrase or adverb forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.
“I never made fun of her except teasingly.”
Unless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.

Synonyms

apart from except for outtake with the exception of

Hear “except” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with except

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

adept inept precept accept intercept prepped leapt swept yclept leaped wept crept

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "except"?▾

"Except" has 2 syllables: exc · ept.

What is the IPA transcription of "except"?▾

The IPA transcription of "except" is /ɪkˈsɛpt/.

What does "except" mean?▾

Except: To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

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