How to pronounce conspire
Say it like kun-SPY-er. Conspire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce conspire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- SPY
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Conspire pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SPYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of conspire
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: kun-SPY-uh.
What does conspire mean?
- To secretly plot or make plans together, often with the intention to bring bad or illegal results; to collude, to connive, to plot.
- To agree, to concur to one end.
- To work together to bring about.“Rain and sweat conspired to smudge her mascara.”
Where does conspire come from?
From Middle English conspiren, from Old French conspirer, from Latin conspirare, conspīrō, from con- (combining form of cum (“with”)) + spīrō (“breathe”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with conspire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of conspire.
Questions about saying conspire
How do you pronounce conspire?
Say kun-SPY-er. The American pronunciation is /kənˈspaɪɚ/. In British English it is /kənˈspaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in conspire?
Conspire has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPY). Broken into parts: kun · SPY · er.
Is conspire pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /kənˈspaɪə/ (kun-SPY-uh).