How to pronounce attrition
Say it like uh-TRISH-un. Attrition has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce attrition. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- TRISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Attrition 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.
- TRISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of attrition
American and British speakers say attrition in essentially the same way: /əˈtrɪʃən/ in the US and /əˈtrɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-TRISH-un.
What does attrition mean?
- Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
- The wearing of teeth due to their grinding.
- A gradual reduction in number.
- To grind or wear down through friction.“attritioned teeth; attritioned rock”
- To reduce the number of (jobs or workers) by not hiring new employees to fill positions that become vacant (often with out).
- To undergo a reduction in number.“The cohort of one hundred students had attritioned to sixty by the end of secondary school.”
Where does attrition come from?
First attested in the 15th century, from Middle English attricion, attricioun, from Middle French attricion, attrition and its etymon, Latin attrītiō (“a rubbing against”), from the verb attrītus, past participle of atterō (“to wear”), from
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with attrition
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of attrition.
Questions about saying attrition
How do you pronounce attrition?
Say uh-TRISH-un. The American pronunciation is /əˈtrɪʃən/. In British English it is /əˈtrɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in attrition?
Attrition has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TRISH). Broken into parts: uh · TRISH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say attrition the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈtrɪʃən/ and the British form is /əˈtrɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.