How to pronounce breakneck
Say it like BRAYK-nek. Breakneck has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRAYK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce breakneck. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BRAYK
- nek
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Breakneck pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BRAYKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- nekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of breakneck
American and British speakers say breakneck in essentially the same way: /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/ in the US and /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/ in the UK.
British respelling: BRAYK-nek.
What does breakneck mean?
- Dangerously fast; hell-for-leather.“breakneck pace”
- Dangerously fast.
- A fall that breaks the neck.
- A dangerous steep place from which one could fall and be injured.
Where does breakneck come from?
From break + neck.
Questions about saying breakneck
How do you pronounce breakneck?
Say BRAYK-nek. The American pronunciation is /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/. In British English it is /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in breakneck?
Breakneck has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRAYK). Broken into parts: BRAYK · nek.
Do Americans and Brits say breakneck the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/ and the British form is /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.