How to pronounce confound
Say it like kon-FOWND. Confound has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOWND).
- kon
- FOWND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Confound pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- konKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- FOWNDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of confound
American and British speakers say confound in essentially the same way: /kɑnˈfaʊnd/ in the US and /kənˈfaʊnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-FOWND.
Other ways to say confound
Confound also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KAHN-fownd /ˈkɑnˌfaʊnd/
What does confound mean?
- To perplex or puzzle.
- To stun or amaze.
- To fail to see the difference; to mix up; to confuse right and wrong.
- A confounding variable.
Where does confound come from?
From Middle English confounden (“destroy, ruin, perplex”), from Anglo-Norman cunfundre and Old French confondre, from Latin cōnfundō (“to mingle, mix together”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with confound
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of confound.
Questions about saying confound
How do you pronounce confound?
Say kon-FOWND. The American pronunciation is /kɑnˈfaʊnd/. In British English it is /kənˈfaʊnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in confound?
Confound has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOWND). Broken into parts: kon · FOWND.
Do Americans and Brits say confound the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kɑnˈfaʊnd/ and the British form is /kənˈfaʊnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.