How to pronounce debility
Say it like duh-BIL-uh-tee. Debility has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce debility. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- BIL
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Debility pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of debility
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dih-BIL-ih-tee.
What does debility mean?
- A state of physical or mental weakness.
Where does debility come from?
From Middle English debylite, from Old French debilité (French débilité), from Latin dēbilitās (“weakness”), from dēbilis (“weak”), from dē- + habilis (“able”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with debility
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of debility.
- ability
- responsibility
- possibility
- utility
- availability
- capability
- mobility
- flexibility
- probability
- reliability
Questions about saying debility
How do you pronounce debility?
Say duh-BIL-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /dəˈbɪləti/. In British English it is /dɪˈbɪlɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in debility?
Debility has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BIL). Broken into parts: duh · BIL · uh · tee.
Is debility pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /dɪˈbɪlɪti/ (dih-BIL-ih-tee).