How to pronounce ambivalence
Say it like am-BIV-uh-luns. Ambivalence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ambivalence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- am
- BIV
- uh
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ambivalence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- amKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- BIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ambivalence
American and British speakers say ambivalence in essentially the same way: /æmˈbɪvələns/ in the US and /æmˈbɪvələns/ in the UK.
British respelling: am-BIV-uh-luns.
What does ambivalence mean?
- The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea.
- A state of uncertainty or indecisiveness.
Where does ambivalence come from?
Borrowed from German Ambivalenz (“simultaneous conflicting feelings”), from Latin ambi- (“both”) and valentia (“strength”), from the verb valere (“to be strong”) (see valiant); spelled on the model of French-origin words ending in -ence.
Words that rhyme with ambivalence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ambivalence.
Questions about saying ambivalence
How do you pronounce ambivalence?
Say am-BIV-uh-luns. The American pronunciation is /æmˈbɪvələns/. In British English it is /æmˈbɪvələns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ambivalence?
Ambivalence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIV). Broken into parts: am · BIV · uh · luns.
Do Americans and Brits say ambivalence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /æmˈbɪvələns/ and the British form is /æmˈbɪvələns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.