How to pronounce ambivalent
Say it like am-BIV-uh-lunt. Ambivalent 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 ambivalent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- am
- BIV
- uh
- lunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ambivalent 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.
- luntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ambivalent
American and British speakers say ambivalent in essentially the same way: /æmˈbɪvələnt/ in the US and /æmˈbɪvələnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: am-BIV-uh-lunt.
What does ambivalent mean?
- Simultaneously experiencing or expressing opposing or contradictory feelings, beliefs, motivations, or meanings.
- Alternately being or having one opinion or feeling, and then the opposite.“His feelings toward his parents are ambivalent.”
Where does ambivalent come from?
Back-formation from ambivalence, from German Ambivalenz, from Latin ambi- (“in two ways”) + valeō (“be strong”); equivalent to ambi- + -valent.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ambivalent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ambivalent.
Questions about saying ambivalent
How do you pronounce ambivalent?
Say am-BIV-uh-lunt. The American pronunciation is /æmˈbɪvələnt/. In British English it is /æmˈbɪvələnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ambivalent?
Ambivalent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIV). Broken into parts: am · BIV · uh · lunt.
Do Americans and Brits say ambivalent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /æmˈbɪvələnt/ and the British form is /æmˈbɪvələnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.