How to pronounce decree
Say it like dih-KREE. Decree has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KREE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decree. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- KREE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decree 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.
- KREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of decree
American and British speakers say decree in essentially the same way: /dɪˈkri/ in the US and /dɪˈkriː/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-KREE.
What does decree mean?
- a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)“a friend in New Mexico said that the order caused no trouble out there”
- issue a decree“The King only can decree”
- decide with authority“The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed”
Where does decree come from?
From Middle English decre, decree, from Old French decré (French décret), from Latin dēcrētum.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with decree
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decree.
Questions about saying decree
How do you pronounce decree?
Say dih-KREE. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈkri/. In British English it is /dɪˈkriː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decree?
Decree has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KREE). Broken into parts: dih · KREE.
Do Americans and Brits say decree the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈkri/ and the British form is /dɪˈkriː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.