How to pronounce bias
Say it like BY-us. Bias has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce bias. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BY
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Bias pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of bias
American and British speakers say bias in essentially the same way: /ˈbaɪəs/ in the US and /ˈbaɪəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: BY-us.
What does bias mean?
- a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
- a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric
- influence in an unfair way“you are biasing my choice by telling me yours”
- cause to be biased
- slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric“a bias fold”
Where does bias come from?
The French word is likely from Old Occitan biais, itself of obscure origin, most likely from Vulgar Latin *biaxius (“with two axes”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with bias
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of bias.
Questions about saying bias
How do you pronounce bias?
Say BY-us. The American pronunciation is /ˈbaɪəs/. In British English it is /ˈbaɪəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in bias?
Bias has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BY). Broken into parts: BY · us.
Do Americans and Brits say bias the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbaɪəs/ and the British form is /ˈbaɪəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.