How to pronounce benevolence
Say it like buh-NEV-uh-luns. Benevolence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce benevolence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- buh
- NEV
- uh
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Benevolence 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.
- NEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of benevolence
American and British speakers say benevolence in essentially the same way: /bəˈnɛvələns/ in the US and /bəˈnɛvələns/ in the UK.
British respelling: buh-NEV-uh-luns.
What does benevolence mean?
- Disposition to do good.“gesture of benevolence”
- Charitable kindness.“His acts of benevolence earned him great respect.”
- An altruistic gift or act.
Where does benevolence come from?
Circa 1400, original sense “good will, disposition to do good”, Old French benivolence from Latin benevolentia (also directly from Latin), literally “good will”, from bene (“well, good”) + volentia, form of volēns, form of volō (“to wish”),
Words that rhyme with benevolence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of benevolence.
Questions about saying benevolence
How do you pronounce benevolence?
Say buh-NEV-uh-luns. The American pronunciation is /bəˈnɛvələns/. In British English it is /bəˈnɛvələns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in benevolence?
Benevolence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NEV). Broken into parts: buh · NEV · uh · luns.
Do Americans and Brits say benevolence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /bəˈnɛvələns/ and the British form is /bəˈnɛvələns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.