How to pronounce adversary
Say it like AD-ver-ser-ee. Adversary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce adversary. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AD
- ver
- ser
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Adversary pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- serGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of adversary
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AD-vuh-suh-ree.
What does adversary mean?
- A person, group, or thing that opposes or attacks another person or group; an opponent or rival.“He prepared to fight his adversary.”
Where does adversary come from?
From Middle English adversarie, from Anglo-Norman aversaire (in Wace's Life of Saint Margaret) and Old French aversier, aversaire (French adversaire), from Latin adversārius, from adversus (“turned toward”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying adversary
How do you pronounce adversary?
Say AD-ver-ser-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈædvɚˌsɛri/. In British English it is /ˈædvəsəri/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in adversary?
Adversary has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AD). Broken into parts: AD · ver · ser · ee.
Is adversary pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈædvəsəri/ (AD-vuh-suh-ree).