How to pronounce custody
Say it like KUHS-tuh-dee. Custody has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce custody. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUHS
- tuh
- dee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Custody pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUHSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of custody
American and British speakers say custody in essentially the same way: /ˈkʌstədi/ in the US and /ˈkʌstədi/ in the UK.
British respelling: KUHS-tuh-dee.
What does custody mean?
- a state of being confined (usually for a short time)“his detention was politically motivated”“the prisoner is on hold”
- holding by the police“the suspect is in custody”
- (with in) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child“my fate is in your hands”“too much power in the president's hands”
Where does custody come from?
Borrowed from Latin custōdia (“a keeping, watch, guard, prison”), from custōs (“a keeper, watchman, guard”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying custody
How do you pronounce custody?
Say KUHS-tuh-dee. The American pronunciation is /ˈkʌstədi/. In British English it is /ˈkʌstədi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in custody?
Custody has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KUHS). Broken into parts: KUHS · tuh · dee.
Do Americans and Brits say custody the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkʌstədi/ and the British form is /ˈkʌstədi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.