How to pronounce counterfeit
Say it like KOWN-ter-fit. Counterfeit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce counterfeit. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOWN
- ter
- fit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Counterfeit pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- fitGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of counterfeit
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KOWN-tuh-fit.
What does counterfeit mean?
- A non-genuine article; a fake.
- One who counterfeits; a counterfeiter.
- To falsely produce what appears to be official or valid; to produce a forged copy of.“to counterfeit the signature of another, coins, notes, etc.”
- Of a turn or river card, to invalidate a player's hand by making a better hand on the board.
- False, especially of money; intended to deceive or carry appearance of being genuine.“This counterfeit watch looks like the real thing, but it broke a week after I bought it.”
- Inauthentic.“counterfeit sympathy”
- Assuming the appearance of something; deceitful; hypocritical.
Where does counterfeit come from?
From Middle English counterfeit, countrefet, from Anglo-Norman countrefait, from Old French contrefait, from Latin contra- (“against”) + Latin facere (“to make”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying counterfeit
How do you pronounce counterfeit?
Say KOWN-ter-fit. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊntɚˌfɪt/. In British English it is /ˈkaʊntəfɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in counterfeit?
Counterfeit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN). Broken into parts: KOWN · ter · fit.
Is counterfeit 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 /ˈkaʊntəfɪt/ (KOWN-tuh-fit).