How to pronounce countermand
Say it like KOWN-ter-mand. Countermand 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 countermand. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOWN
- ter
- mand
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Countermand 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.
- mandGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of countermand
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: kown-tuh-MAHND.
What does countermand mean?
- To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given.“to countermand an order for goods”
- To recall a person or unit with such an order.
- To cancel an order for (some specified goods).
- An order to the contrary of a previous one.
Where does countermand come from?
From Old French contremander, from Medieval Latin contramandō, from contra + mandō (“to order; to command”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying countermand
How do you pronounce countermand?
Say KOWN-ter-mand. The American pronunciation is /ˈkaʊntɚˌmænd/. In British English it is /ˌkaʊntəˈmɑːnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in countermand?
Countermand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOWN). Broken into parts: KOWN · ter · mand.
Is countermand pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌkaʊntəˈmɑːnd/ (kown-tuh-MAHND).