How to pronounce accident
Say it like AK-suh-dunt. Accident has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce accident. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AK
- suh
- dunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Accident pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- duntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of accident
American and British speakers say accident in essentially the same way: /ˈæksədənt/ in the US and /ˈæksɪdənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: AK-sih-dunt.
What does accident mean?
- an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
- anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause“winning the lottery was a happy accident”“the pregnancy was a stroke of bad luck”
Where does accident come from?
First attested in the late 14th century.
Questions about saying accident
How do you pronounce accident?
Say AK-suh-dunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈæksədənt/. In British English it is /ˈæksɪdənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in accident?
Accident has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK). Broken into parts: AK · suh · dunt.
Do Americans and Brits say accident the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæksədənt/ and the British form is /ˈæksɪdənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.