How to pronounce abide
Say it like uh-BYDE. Abide has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BYDE).
- uh
- BYDE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abide 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.
- BYDESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of abide
American and British speakers say abide in essentially the same way: /əˈbaɪd/ in the US and /əˈbaɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BYDE.
What does abide mean?
- To endure without yielding; to withstand.“The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly.”
- To bear patiently.“"I never could abide shoemakers," said an old servant, and it ended in her marrying one.”
- To pay for; to take the consequences of.
Where does abide come from?
Cognate with Scots abide (“to abide, remain”), Middle High German erbīten (“to await, expect”), Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌱𐌴𐌹𐌳𐌰𐌽 (usbeidan, “to expect, await, have patience”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with abide
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abide.
Questions about saying abide
How do you pronounce abide?
Say uh-BYDE. The American pronunciation is /əˈbaɪd/. In British English it is /əˈbaɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abide?
Abide has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BYDE). Broken into parts: uh · BYDE.
Do Americans and Brits say abide the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈbaɪd/ and the British form is /əˈbaɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.