How to pronounce abolish
Say it like uh-BAH-lish. Abolish has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce abolish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- BAH
- lish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abolish 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.
- BAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- lishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of abolish
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: uh-BOL-ish.
What does abolish mean?
- To end a law, system, institution, custom or practice.“Slavery was abolished in the nineteenth century.”
Where does abolish come from?
From late Middle English abolisshen, from Middle French aboliss-, extended stem of abolir, from Latin abolēre (“to retard, check the growth of, (and by extension) destroy, abolish”), and inchoative abolēscere (“to wither, vanish, cease”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with abolish
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abolish.
Questions about saying abolish
How do you pronounce abolish?
Say uh-BAH-lish. The American pronunciation is /əˈbɑlɪʃ/. In British English it is /əˈbɒlɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abolish?
Abolish has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAH). Broken into parts: uh · BAH · lish.
Is abolish pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /əˈbɒlɪʃ/ (uh-BOL-ish).