How to pronounce decline
Say it like dih-KLYNE. Decline has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLYNE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decline. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- KLYNE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decline pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KLYNESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of decline
American and British speakers say decline in essentially the same way: /dɪˈklaɪn/ in the US and /dɪˈklaɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-KLYNE.
What does decline mean?
- grow worse“Conditions in the slum worsened”
- refuse to accept“He refused my offer of hospitality”
- show unwillingness towards“he declined to join the group on a hike”
- change toward something smaller or lower
- a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state
- a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with decline
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decline.
Questions about saying decline
How do you pronounce decline?
Say dih-KLYNE. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈklaɪn/. In British English it is /dɪˈklaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decline?
Decline has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLYNE). Broken into parts: dih · KLYNE.
Do Americans and Brits say decline the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈklaɪn/ and the British form is /dɪˈklaɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.