How to pronounce daredevil

Q: How do you pronounce daredevil?

Say DAIR-dev-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛrˌdɛvəl/. In British English it is /ˈdɛədɛvəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

Say it like DAIR-dev-ul. Daredevil has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAIR).

VoiceSpeed

US American/ˈdɛrˌdɛvəl/DAIR-dev-ul

UK British/ˈdɛədɛvəl/DAIR-dev-ul

DAIR
dev
ul

Main stress
Lighter stress
Unstressed

Daredevil pronunciation, sound by sound

Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.

DAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
devGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.

American vs British pronunciation of daredevil

Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.

British respelling: DAIR-dev-ul.

What does daredevil mean?

noun

A person who engages in very risky behavior, especially one who is motivated by a craving for excitement or attention.“Even as a youngster, Steven was a bit of a daredevil riding up homemade wooden ramps on his BMX.”

adjective

Recklessly bold; adventurous.“The climactic scene of “Rebel without a Cause” is the group of very daredevil teens playing chicken.”

verb

To behave in a reckless, adventurous, or physically risky manner.

Where does daredevil come from?

From dare + devil; an exocentric compound, "one who dares the devil".

Similar and opposite words

Similar meaning

adventurer
madcap
hothead
swashbuckler
lunatic
harum-scarum
temerarious

Questions about saying daredevil

How do you pronounce daredevil?

Say DAIR-dev-ul. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛrˌdɛvəl/. In British English it is /ˈdɛədɛvəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.

How many syllables are in daredevil?

Daredevil has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DAIR). Broken into parts: DAIR · dev · ul.

Is daredevil 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 /ˈdɛədɛvəl/ (DAIR-dev-ul).