How to pronounce behest
Say it like bih-HEST. Behest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HEST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce behest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- HEST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Behest 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.
- HESTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of behest
American and British speakers say behest in essentially the same way: /bɪˈhɛst/ in the US and /bɪˈhɛst/ in the UK.
British respelling: bih-HEST.
What does behest mean?
- A command, bidding; sometimes also, an authoritative request; now usually in the phrase at the behest of and at one's behest.
Where does behest come from?
From Middle English biheste, from Old English behǣs (“vow, promise”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihaisi, from *bi- (“be-”) + *haisi (“command”), from Proto-Germanic *haisiz, from *haitaną (“to command”).
Words that rhyme with behest
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of behest.
Questions about saying behest
How do you pronounce behest?
Say bih-HEST. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈhɛst/. In British English it is /bɪˈhɛst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in behest?
Behest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HEST). Broken into parts: bih · HEST.
Do Americans and Brits say behest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bɪˈhɛst/ and the British form is /bɪˈhɛst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.