How to pronounce declension
Say it like duh-KLEN-shun. Declension has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce declension. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- KLEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Declension 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.
- KLENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of declension
American and British speakers say declension in essentially the same way: /dəˈklɛnʃən/ in the US and /dəˈklɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: duh-KLEN-shun.
What does declension mean?
- A falling off, decay or descent.
- The act of declining a word; the act of listing the inflections of a noun, pronoun or adjective in order.
- The product of that act; a list of declined forms.“a page full of declensions”
Where does declension come from?
From late Middle English declinson, from Middle French declinaison (Modern French: déclinaison), from Latin dēclīnātiō.
Words that rhyme with declension
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of declension.
Questions about saying declension
How do you pronounce declension?
Say duh-KLEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /dəˈklɛnʃən/. In British English it is /dəˈklɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in declension?
Declension has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLEN). Broken into parts: duh · KLEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say declension the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dəˈklɛnʃən/ and the British form is /dəˈklɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.