3 syllables: Se, sa, me. Stress on Se.
SES-uh-mee
/ˈsɛsəmi/
Sesame is pronounced SES-uh-mee (/ˈsɛsəmi/). It has three syllables (Se-sa-me), with the stress on "Se". Sesame is a noun referring to a plant (Sesamum indicum) cultivated for its edible seeds, as well as the seeds themselves and foods made from them. The word also appears in phrases like sesame seeds or sesame oil. It’s common in culinary contexts and sometimes in literature or culture, with the seed-to-oil and snack uses shaping its familiar, everyday meaning.
nounSesame is a noun referring to a plant (Sesamum indicum) cultivated for its edible seeds, as well as the seeds themselves and foods made from them. The word also appears in phrases like sesame seeds or sesame oil. It’s common in culinary contexts and sometimes in literature or culture, with the seed-to-oil and snack uses shaping its familiar, everyday meaning.
How to Pronounce Sesame
"She sprinkled sesame seeds on the top of the bagel."
"The bottle lists sesame oil as a key ingredient."
"Sesame street is a famous children's program, though not related to the seed fragrance."
Sesame is pronounced as si- SAYM, with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU: sɪˈseɪm. Start with a short, relaxed s, then a quick, bright “si” (as in sit without the t), followed by a long “ay” vowel and a final soft m. Imagine saying “si” then “saim,” but without the final long vowel. Listen to native audio examples to mirror the exact mouth shape: a light jaw drop for the /ɪ/ and a strong, crisp /eɪ/ diphthong in the second syllable.
Common errors are misplacing the stress (sɪˈseɪm is different from seˈseɪm), pronouncing the second syllable with a short /e/ like /ɛ/ (sɪˈsɛm) and not rounding the lips for the /eɪ/ diphthong. Another frequent slip is attaching an extra consonant or de-voicing the final /m/. Correction: keep stress on the second syllable, produce /eɪ/ as a clear diphthong with a light jaw and lip rounding, and finish with a crisp bilabial /m/. Practice by saying “si” quickly, then glide into /ˈseɪm/ without an extra vowel.
In US/UK, sesame uses the same two-syllable structure with /sɪˈseɪm/. Rhoticity doesn’t affect this word. Australians typically align with the same /sɪˈseɪm/ pronunciation, but may show slight vowel length variation; some speakers may ‘flatten’ the /ɪ/ leading toward /iː/. The main differences are vowel quality: US tends to a slightly shorter /ɪ/ before the /ˈseɪm/, UK speakers may have a crisper /s/ and a tighter /eɪ/. Listen for a bright second syllable vowel, not a centralized one.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable rhythm with a relatively light first vowel and a strong, bright second syllable containing a diphthong /eɪ/. The mouth must transition quickly from /ɪ/ to /eɪ/ while keeping the final /m/ crisp. Non-native speakers often flatten the diphthong or misplaced stress, which changes meaning or makes the word sound off. Focus on the “si- SAYM” sequence, relax the jaw for /ɪ/, and glide to /eɪ/ with precise lip rounding.
No. In standard English pronunciation, sesame is stressed on the second syllable: si- SAYM. The first syllable is unstressed and shorter, which helps the long, prominent /eɪ/ in the second syllable carry the word’s meaning. To practice, say a quick, light /sɪ/ as a doorway into the stronger /ˈseɪm/ portion. This pattern helps with natural fluency in compound terms and food contexts.
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The word sesame originates from Old French sesame, from Latin sesamum, which itself derives from Greek sēsamon, likely adapted from an earlier Semitic term. The root is related to Hebrew sheshâm, and related Arabic terms show long-standing use in Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines. The term spread through Mediterranean traders and colonial contacts, entering English in the medieval period as a general label for the plant and its seeds. The meaning expanded in culinary contexts as sesame oil and sesame-based foods became common worldwide. The word’s flexibility in English—referring both to the plant and the edible product—reflects long-standing agricultural and gastronomic trade in the ancient world and continuing globalization of seeds used in baking, cooking oils, and snacks. Over centuries, it retained the core botanical reference while acquiring specialized culinary senses in modern times, including “sesame oil,” “sesame seeds,” and culturally significant uses in folklore and literature (e.g., stories featuring the sesame plant). First known English attestations date to the late medieval period, with earlier Latin and Greek medical and herbal texts referencing the plant’s seeds and oil.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Sesame" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Sesame" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Sesame"
-eam sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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