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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

performance

/pɚˈfɔɹməns/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:39
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Give “for” the strongest beat.

Use three syllables and a light r-colored opening. Keep the second vowel prominent and let m lead into the lighter final vowel before n and s.

3 syllables · Stress on syllable 2

TRY SAYING
The report evaluates the team's performance.

APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

What does performance mean?

noun

  1. The act of performing; carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action.
  2. That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; especially, an action of an elaborate or public character.
  3. A live show or concert.
More meanings (2)

noun

  1. The amount of useful work accomplished estimated in terms of time needed, resources used, etc.
  2. The actual use of language in concrete situations by native speakers of a language, as opposed to the system of linguistic knowledge they possess (competence), cf. linguistic performance.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/pɚˈfɔɹməns/

Pronunciation used in the listening tip.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Other dictionary pronunciations

/pɚˈfɔɹ.mən(t)s/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Sluggish economic performance over the past decade, attributable largely to declining annual rainfall, has reduced levels of per capita income and consumption.
United States. Central Intelligence AgencyThe 1991 CIA World FactbookProject Gutenberg ebook #25
“It was my first performance, and it certainly will be my last. Now I have told you—and remember it is a secret.”
Thomas HardyThe Return of the NativeProject Gutenberg ebook #122
More book examples (3)
"The performance has only begun and you know that the ghost does not usually come until the middle of the first act."
Gaston LerouxThe Phantom of the OperaProject Gutenberg ebook #175
But the boy turned actor, and made it appear that it was at his wish the mule had given this diverting performance.
Charles A. EastmanIndian Heroes and Great ChieftainsProject Gutenberg ebook #336
Eaters of glass, tacks, pebbles, and like objects, actually swallow these seemingly impossible things, and disgorge them after the performance is over.
Harry HoudiniMiracle Mongers and Their Methods A Complete Exposé of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, Etc.Project Gutenberg ebook #435