SpeechSynthesis.pause()

This is an experimental technology
Check the Browser compatibility table carefully before using this in production.

The pause() method of the SpeechSynthesis interface puts the SpeechSynthesis object into a paused state.

Syntax

speechSynthesisInstance.pause();

Returns

Void.

Parameters

None.

Examples

var synth = window.speechSynthesis;

var utterance1 = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance('How about we say this now? This is quite a long sentence to say.');
var utterance2 = new SpeechSynthesisUtterance('We should say another sentence too, just to be on the safe side.');

synth.speak(utterance1);
synth.speak(utterance2);

synth.pause(); // pauses utterances being spoken

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Web Speech API
The definition of 'pause()' in that specification.
Draft

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
pause
Experimental
Chrome Full support 33Edge Full support 14Firefox Full support 49IE No support NoOpera Full support 21Safari Full support 7WebView Android Full support 4.4.3
Notes
Full support 4.4.3
Notes
Notes In Android, pause() ends the current utterance. pause() behaves the same as cancel().
Chrome Android Full support 33
Notes
Full support 33
Notes
Notes In Android, pause() ends the current utterance. pause() behaves the same as cancel().
Firefox Android Full support 62
Notes
Full support 62
Notes
Notes In Android, pause() ends the current utterance. pause() behaves the same as cancel().
No support 61 — 62
Notes Disabled
Notes In Android, pause() ends the current utterance. pause() behaves the same as cancel().
Disabled From version 61 until version 62 (exclusive): this feature is behind the media.webspeech.synth.enabled preference (needs to be set to true). To change preferences in Firefox, visit about:config.
Opera Android No support NoSafari iOS Full support 7Samsung Internet Android Full support 3.0
Notes
Full support 3.0
Notes
Notes In Android, pause() ends the current utterance. pause() behaves the same as cancel().

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
Experimental. Expect behavior to change in the future.
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.
User must explicitly enable this feature.
User must explicitly enable this feature.

See also