How to pronounce defect
Say it like DEE-fekt. Defect has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defect. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEE
- fekt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defect pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fektKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of defect
American and British speakers say defect in essentially the same way: /ˈdifɛkt/ in the US and /ˈdiːfɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEE-fekt.
Other ways to say defect
Defect also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- dih-FEKT /dɪˈfɛkt/
What does defect mean?
- an imperfection in a bodily system“visual defects”“this device permits detection of defects in the lungs”
- a failing or deficiency“that interpretation is an unfortunate defect of our lack of information”
- an imperfection in an object or machine“a flaw caused the crystal to shatter”“if there are any defects you should send it back to the manufacturer”
- desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army“If soldiers deserted Hitler's army, they were shot”
Where does defect come from?
Borrowed from Latin defectus (“a failure, lack”), from deficere (“to fail, lack, literally 'undo'”), from past participle defectus, from de- (“of, from”) + facere (“to do”).
Words that rhyme with defect
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defect.
Questions about saying defect
How do you pronounce defect?
Say DEE-fekt. The American pronunciation is /ˈdifɛkt/. In British English it is /ˈdiːfɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defect?
Defect has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEE). Broken into parts: DEE · fekt.
Do Americans and Brits say defect the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdifɛkt/ and the British form is /ˈdiːfɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.