How to pronounce abandon
Say it like uh-BAN-dun. Abandon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abandon. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BAN
- dun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abandon pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- dunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of abandon
American and British speakers say abandon in essentially the same way: /əˈbændən/ in the US and /əˈbændən/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BAN-dun.
What does abandon mean?
- forsake, leave behind“We abandoned the old car in the empty parking lot”
- give up with the intent of never claiming again“Abandon your life to God”“She gave up her children to her ex-husband when she moved to Tahiti”
- leave behind empty; move out of“You must vacate your office by tonight”
- the trait of lacking restraint or control; reckless freedom from inhibition or worry“she danced with abandon”
- a feeling of extreme emotional intensity“the wildness of his anger”
Questions about saying abandon
How do you pronounce abandon?
Say uh-BAN-dun. The American pronunciation is /əˈbændən/. In British English it is /əˈbændən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abandon?
Abandon has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAN). Broken into parts: uh · BAN · dun.
Do Americans and Brits say abandon the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈbændən/ and the British form is /əˈbændən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.