How to pronounce peony?

Hello Leon!
 Thank you for your thoughtful question. The word “peony” can definitely be a little confusing when you first come across it in a book.

Correct Pronunciation

The most standard and widely accepted pronunciation in English is:

/ˈpiː.ə.ni/
It sounds like: PEE-uh-nee

So yes, it begins with a long "e" sound: "pee", followed by "uh", and then "nee."

Sometimes, people say it a bit differently depending on where they’re from. In some regional accents or informal speech, you might hear:

• /ˈpɛə.ni/ → like "PEH-uh-nee"
• or a quick version that sounds almost like “PEN-ee”

However, in dictionaries and standard American and British English, the "pee-uh-nee" version is considered correct.

 Thank you, and feel free to message if you have any questions!