How to pronounce bestow
Say it like bih-STOH. Bestow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bestow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- STOH
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bestow 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.
- STOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of bestow
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: bih-STOH.
What does bestow mean?
- To apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use.
- To impart (something) gratuitously; to present (something) to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honor; to confer, to give, to accord; to render.“I bestow upon you the name of Peter.”
Where does bestow come from?
The noun is derived from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bestow
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bestow.
Questions about saying bestow
How do you pronounce bestow?
Say bih-STOH. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈstoʊ/. In British English it is /bɪˈstəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bestow?
Bestow has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STOH). Broken into parts: bih · STOH.
Is bestow pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /bɪˈstəʊ/ (bih-STOH).