How to pronounce cadence
Say it like KAY-duns. Cadence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cadence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAY
- duns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cadence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- dunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cadence
American and British speakers say cadence in essentially the same way: /ˈkeɪdəns/ in the US and /ˈkeɪdəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAY-duns.
What does cadence mean?
- The act or state of declining or sinking.
- The measure or beat of movement.
- Balanced, rhythmic flow.
- To give a cadence to.
- To give structure to.
Where does cadence come from?
Borrowed from Middle French cadence, from Old Italian cadenza (“conclusion of a phrase of music”), from Latin *cadentia (literally “a falling”), form of cadēns, the present participle of cadō (“to fall, to cease”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying cadence
How do you pronounce cadence?
Say KAY-duns. The American pronunciation is /ˈkeɪdəns/. In British English it is /ˈkeɪdəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cadence?
Cadence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAY). Broken into parts: KAY · duns.
Do Americans and Brits say cadence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkeɪdəns/ and the British form is /ˈkeɪdəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.