How to pronounce debris
Say it like duh-BREE. Debris has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BREE).
- duh
- BREE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The s is silent. Americans stress the end ('duh-BREE'), Britons the start ('DEB-ree').
Debris 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.
- BREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of debris
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
British respelling: DEB-ree.
What does debris mean?
- Rubble, wreckage, scattered remains of something destroyed.
- Litter and discarded refuse.
- Large rock fragments left by a melting glacier etc.
Where does debris come from?
Borrowed from French débris, itself from dé- (“de-”) + bris (“broken, crumbled”), or from Middle French debriser (“to break apart”), from Old French debrisier, itself from de- + brisier (“to break apart, shatter, bust”), from Frankish *bris
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with debris
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of debris.
Questions about saying debris
How do you pronounce debris?
Say duh-BREE. The American pronunciation is /dəˈbri/. In British English it is /ˈdɛbriː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in debris?
Debris has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BREE). Broken into parts: duh · BREE.
Is debris pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈdɛbriː/ (DEB-ree).