How to pronounce behavior
Say it like bih-HAY-vyer. Behavior has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAY).
- bih
- HAY
- vyer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Behavior pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- HAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- vyerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of behavior
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: bih-HAY-vyuh.
What does behavior mean?
- manner of acting or controlling yourself
- the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances“the behavior of small particles can be studied in experiments”
- (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with behavior
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of behavior.
Words that sound like behavior
Questions about saying behavior
How do you pronounce behavior?
Say bih-HAY-vyer. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈheɪvjɚ/. In British English it is /bɪˈheɪvjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in behavior?
Behavior has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAY). Broken into parts: bih · HAY · vyer.
Is behavior 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 /bɪˈheɪvjə/ (bih-HAY-vyuh).
What words sound the same as behavior?
Behavior sounds the same as behaviour in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.