How to pronounce compliance
Say it like kum-PLY-uns. Compliance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compliance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PLY
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compliance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PLYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of compliance
American and British speakers say compliance in essentially the same way: /kəmˈplaɪəns/ in the US and /kəmˈplaɪəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PLY-uns.
What does compliance mean?
- acting according to certain accepted standards“their financial statements are in conformity with generally accepted accounting practices”
- a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
- the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
Where does compliance come from?
From comply + -ance.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with compliance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of compliance.
Questions about saying compliance
How do you pronounce compliance?
Say kum-PLY-uns. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈplaɪəns/. In British English it is /kəmˈplaɪəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compliance?
Compliance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PLY). Broken into parts: kum · PLY · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say compliance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈplaɪəns/ and the British form is /kəmˈplaɪəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.