How to pronounce dearest
Say it like DIR-ust. Dearest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dearest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIR
- ust
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dearest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ustKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of dearest
American and British speakers say dearest in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪrəst/ in the US and /ˈdɪərɪst/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEER-rist.
What does dearest mean?
- superlative form of dear: most dear How to pronounce dear
- A beloved person; a term of endearment.“I need to call my dearest and tell her the news.”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dearest
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dearest.
Questions about saying dearest
How do you pronounce dearest?
Say DIR-ust. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪrəst/. In British English it is /ˈdɪərɪst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dearest?
Dearest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIR). Broken into parts: DIR · ust.
Do Americans and Brits say dearest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪrəst/ and the British form is /ˈdɪərɪst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.