How to pronounce belligerent
Say it like buh-LIJ-uh-runt. Belligerent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LIJ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce belligerent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- buh
- LIJ
- uh
- runt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Belligerent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LIJSay 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.
- runtKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of belligerent
American and British speakers say belligerent in essentially the same way: /bəˈlɪdʒərənt/ in the US and /bəˈlɪdʒərənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: buh-LIJ-uh-runt.
What does belligerent mean?
- Engaged in warfare, warring.
- Eager to go to war, warlike.
- Of or pertaining to war.
- A state or other armed participant in warfare“The UN sent a treaty proposal to the belligerents.”
Where does belligerent come from?
From Latin belligerans (“waging war”), present active participle of belligerō (“to wage war”), from belliger (“waging war, warlike”), from bellum (“war”) + -ger (from gerō (“to lead, wage, carry on”)).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with belligerent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of belligerent.
Questions about saying belligerent
How do you pronounce belligerent?
Say buh-LIJ-uh-runt. The American pronunciation is /bəˈlɪdʒərənt/. In British English it is /bəˈlɪdʒərənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in belligerent?
Belligerent has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LIJ). Broken into parts: buh · LIJ · uh · runt.
Do Americans and Brits say belligerent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bəˈlɪdʒərənt/ and the British form is /bəˈlɪdʒərənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.