How to Pronounce Ordinary

"Ordinary" is not spelled the way it sounds. Its pronunciation is /ˈɔɹdəˌnɛɹi/ in IPA and it has 4 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents — the audio is the reliable guide for a word like this.

ordinary

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4

Syllables

8

Letters

/ˈɔɹdəˌnɛɹi/

🇺🇸 IPA (US)

/ˈɔːdɪnəɹi/

🇬🇧 IPA (UK)

💡 Tip for remembering “ordinary”

"ordinary" has 4 syllables: ordinary.

What does ordinary mean?

noun

  1. A person with authority; authority, ordinance. A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller} A courier; someone delivering mail or post. A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation. The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death.
  2. A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

adjective

  1. Having regular jurisdiction; now only used in certain phrases.
  2. Being part of the natural order of things; normal, customary, routine.

Keep practicing

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Train the contrast: light vs right

Sounds worth drilling for a word spelled like this:

/r/ — r/aɪ/ — long i/ə/ — schwa

Read next: How to Practise English Pronunciation Alone

Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "ordinary"?▾

"Ordinary" is not spelled the way it sounds. Its pronunciation is /ˈɔɹdəˌnɛɹi/ in IPA and it has 4 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents — the audio is the reliable guide for a word like this.

How many syllables are in "ordinary"?▾

"Ordinary" has 4 syllables.

What is the IPA transcription of "ordinary"?▾

The IPA transcription of "ordinary" is /ˈɔɹdəˌnɛɹi/.

What does "ordinary" mean?▾

Ordinary: A person with authority; authority, ordinance. A person having immediate jurisdiction in a given case of ecclesiastical law, such as the bishop within a diocese. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller} A courier; someone delivering mail or post. A judge with the authority to deal with cases himself or herself rather than by delegation. The chaplain of Newgate prison, who prepared condemned prisoners for death.

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