How to pronounce abuse
Say it like uh-BYOOS. Abuse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BYOOS).
- uh
- BYOOS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Abuse 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.
- BYOOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of abuse
American and British speakers say abuse in essentially the same way: /əˈbjus/ in the US and /əˈbjuːs/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-BYOOS.
What does abuse mean?
- Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.“human rights abuses”
- Misuse; improper use; perversion.
- Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.“children hurling abuse at each other”
- To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert“He abused his authority.”
- To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty, especially repeatedly.
- To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile; malign; to speak in an offensive manner to or about someone; to disparage.
Where does abuse come from?
From Middle English abusen, then from either Old French abus (“improper use”), or from Latin abūsus (“misused, using up”), perfect active participle of abūtor (“make improper use of, consume, abuse”), from ab (“away”) + ūtor (“to use”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with abuse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of abuse.
Questions about saying abuse
How do you pronounce abuse?
Say uh-BYOOS. The American pronunciation is /əˈbjus/. In British English it is /əˈbjuːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in abuse?
Abuse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BYOOS). Broken into parts: uh · BYOOS.
Do Americans and Brits say abuse the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈbjus/ and the British form is /əˈbjuːs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.