How to pronounce deadpan
Say it like DED-pan. Deadpan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deadpan. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DED
- pan
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deadpan pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- panGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of deadpan
American and British speakers say deadpan in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛdˌpæn/ in the US and /ˈdɛdˌpæn/ in the UK.
British respelling: DED-pan.
What does deadpan mean?
- Deliberately impassive or expressionless.“a deadpan face or look”
- Having such a face or look.“The comedian remained deadpan.”
- In a deadpan manner.
- A style of comedic delivery in which something humorous is said or done while not exhibiting a change in emotion or facial expression.
Where does deadpan come from?
From dead + pan (“face”).
Questions about saying deadpan
How do you pronounce deadpan?
Say DED-pan. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛdˌpæn/. In British English it is /ˈdɛdˌpæn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deadpan?
Deadpan has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DED). Broken into parts: DED · pan.
Do Americans and Brits say deadpan the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛdˌpæn/ and the British form is /ˈdɛdˌpæn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.