Quick pronunciation
Say it
YOO-luh-jee
IPA
/ˈjuː.lə.dʒi/
Syllables
3 · stress the first
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Browser voices vary by device and accent. The phonetic guide and IPA above follow the UK and US entries in the Cambridge Dictionary.
Pronounce eulogy sound by sound
Say the three parts separately, then bring them together without a pause. The middle syllable is weak and relaxed, while the first syllable carries the stress.
1. YOO
/juː/
Sounds like the word “you.” Make this the strongest syllable.
2. luh
/lə/
Use a short, unstressed vowel, similar to the a in “about.”
3. jee
/dʒi/
Begin with the j sound in “jump” and finish with a long ee sound.
Practice: YOO → YOO-luh → YOO-luh-jee → “She gave the eulogy.”
Common eulogy pronunciation mistakes
Do not pronounce every written vowel
The spelling begins with eu, but the word does not begin “ee-oo.” The opening is a single YOO sound, just like the pronoun “you.”
Keep the stress on YOO
Avoid stressing the middle or last syllable. Say YOO-luh-jee, not yoo-LOH-jee or yoo-luh-JEE.
Keep the middle syllable short
The middle sound is “luh,” not “log.” The g belongs with the final sound, producing “jee.”
Do not confuse eulogy with elegy
Eulogy begins YOO; elegy begins EL. They also have different uses. Read the full elegy vs. eulogy comparison.
UK and US pronunciation
Cambridge lists the same core IPA for British and American English: /ˈjuː.lə.dʒi/. Oxford also gives /ˈjuːlədʒi/. The exact vowel quality, rhythm, or voice may vary with a speaker's regional accent, but you do not need to learn separate UK and US versions.
If you are saying the word during a service, clarity matters more than imitating a particular accent. Slow down slightly, stress YOO, and let the remaining two syllables follow naturally.
What does eulogy mean?
A eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises or honors someone. In modern funeral planning, it usually means a spoken tribute that remembers a person who has died through stories, character, gratitude, and legacy. The term is not limited to funerals in every historical or dictionary use, but that is the meaning most people intend today.
A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary is normally a published notice containing biographical and service information, whereas a eulogy is usually personal and spoken aloud. See the full eulogy vs. obituary comparison, or continue with what is a eulogy for its role and place in a funeral.
Where does the word eulogy come from?
English received the word through Medieval Latin forms connected to Greek eulogia, meaning praise or good speaking. The Greek elements are commonly explained as eu, meaning well or good, and a form related to speaking. That history helps explain why the broader word can mean formal praise, even though its most familiar modern use is a funeral tribute.
The history also explains why eulogy and elegy look and sound similar without being the same word. Oxford's eulogy entry provides the pronunciation, definitions, and a concise word origin.
How to use eulogy in a sentence
- “I have been asked to give the eulogy at my father's funeral.”
- “Her friend wrote a warm eulogy filled with stories from their childhood.”
- “The family asked each speaker to keep the eulogy under five minutes.”
- “He practiced the eulogy aloud before the memorial service.”
The verb is eulogize, meaning to praise someone highly or speak in tribute to them. The plural of eulogy is eulogies.
Practice Before You Read the Eulogy Aloud
Practice the word in the first sentence of your own draft, not only in isolation. If you are speaking at a service, mark unfamiliar names phonetically, read the whole tribute aloud, and leave room for pauses.
Use the fill-in-the-blank eulogy template to shape a first draft, then check its speaking time with the eulogy length calculator.
Eulogy pronunciation FAQ
How do you pronounce eulogy?
Pronounce eulogy YOO-luh-jee, with three syllables and stress on the first: /ˈjuː.lə.dʒi/.
Do British and American speakers pronounce eulogy differently?
Major learner dictionaries give the same core pronunciation for UK and US English: /ˈjuː.lə.dʒi/. Individual accents can still sound slightly different.
What is the difference between eulogy and elegy?
A eulogy, pronounced YOO-luh-jee, is usually a tribute speech. An elegy, pronounced EL-uh-jee, is usually a poem or song of mourning.
Where is the stress in eulogy?
The stress is on the first syllable: YOO-luh-jee, not yoo-LAH-jee or yoo-luh-JEE.
Eulogy resources
Eulogy writing guides
Learn the meaning, structure, opening, and closing of a eulogy.
Examples by relationship
Find sample speeches and focused guidance for different relationships.
Tone, faith, and service
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