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In the pronunciation of "viscount", the 's' is silent and the 'i' is a long 'I' sound, so it is pronounced like "vie-count".

The title of a viscount may be either a placename, or a surname, or, as is more often the case, a combination thereof. In any event, the style of a viscount is "The Viscount X," or "The Viscount X of Y." Examples include: The Viscount Falmouth (placename); The Viscount Hardinge (surname); The Viscount Gage of Castle Island (surname of placename); and The Viscount Combermere of Bhurtpore (placename of placename). An exception exists for Viscounts in the peerage of Scotland, who are styled "The Viscount of X," as in: The Viscount of Arbuthnott (surname).

Normally, a Viscount is known as Lord X, while his wife is Lady X. The children of a viscount are known as The Honourable [Forename] [Surname].

The word derives from the Latin vice comes which was the rank of a deputy to a count.

The same or a similar rank exists in other monarchies.