How to Pronounce Wikipedia

Mindbran

Editor

posted on 16 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Wikipedia is a free collaborative online encyclopedia created by users of the site. But how do you correctly say the word? There is a lot of controversy over that topic, actually. However, there are generally two acceptable ways to say “Wikipedia.”

Steps

Using the First Acceptable Pronunciation

Break the word into its syllables. It will be easier to pronounce that way. “Wikipedia” has five syllables. It’s how the first and second syllables are pronounced that generates the controversy. As for Wikipedia itself? It suggests two versions as acceptable, both presented here. The bottom line is that sometimes a word's pronunciation shifts because so many people deviate in how they say it that the new version becomes the most common. That’s happened here.

The most common American pronunciation is generally believed to be “Wi-KI-pee-dee-ah.” You will sometimes see this written as “Wick-IH-pee-dee-ah” with the emphasis on the second syllable. The key point is that the “i” in “wi” and the "i" in “ki” sound like the “i” in “sit.” However, Wikipedia itself presents that version as only one correct option, and it flies in the face of the word’s Hawaiian etymology. There is a great deal of confusion over how to pronounce “Wikipedia” but the “wi-ki” version is the most commonly used in America and in dictionaries.

Using the Second Acceptable Pronunciation

Understand regional differences. The British and American English pronunciations of Wikipedia are similar, but they are not exact. The British version is, ironically, more similar to the native Hawaiian. Although the American English version is “Wi-KI-pee-dee-ah,” the British version pronounces the first and second syllable differently. Instead of “wi” and “ki,” the first syllable is pronounced “wee” and the second syllable is pronounced “kee” in British English. So, Brits say “Wee-kee-PEE-dee-ah" (or "we-key-PEE-dee-ah.) Brits also put the emphasis on the third syllable. Some Australians and UK speakers will say this word more like “wi-kee-PEE-dee-ah” but they still elongate the second syllable more than most American speakers.

Pronounce wiki correctly. What confuses people sometimes is that some believe the proper pronunciation of “wiki” is “we-key” or "wee-kee," not “wick-ee” when it stands on its own. However, “whicky” or “wi-ki” is a term preferred by some big brands, including when added to another word. ”We-key” matches the British pronunciation of the first two syllables of “Wikipedia” but it’s different from the American version. There are many other words that start with “wiki” in addition to Wikipedia, such as (obviously since you’re reading it), wikiHow, and wikileaks.