How to pronounce def
Say it like DEF. Def is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce def. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Def pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of def
American and British speakers say def in essentially the same way: /dɛf/ in the US and /dɛf/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEF.
What does def mean?
- Excellent; very good.
Where does def come from?
Clipping of definitive or definitely; alternatively an eye spelling of death referring to an absolute.
Words that rhyme with def
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of def.
Words that sound like def
Questions about saying def
How do you pronounce def?
Say DEF. The American pronunciation is /dɛf/. In British English it is /dɛf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in def?
Def is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: DEF.
Do Americans and Brits say def the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɛf/ and the British form is /dɛf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as def?
Def sounds the same as deaf in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.