How to pronounce defenceless
Say it like dih-FENS-lus. Defenceless has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FENS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defenceless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FENS
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defenceless 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.
- FENSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of defenceless
American and British speakers say defenceless in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛnsləs/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛnsləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FENS-lus.
What does defenceless mean?
- Without defense; undefended.“Paralysed, the old man was defenceless; and the robbers easily stole all of his money.”
Where does defenceless come from?
From defense + -less.
Words that rhyme with defenceless
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defenceless.
Words that sound like defenceless
Questions about saying defenceless
How do you pronounce defenceless?
Say dih-FENS-lus. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛnsləs/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛnsləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defenceless?
Defenceless has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FENS). Broken into parts: dih · FENS · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say defenceless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɛnsləs/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛnsləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as defenceless?
Defenceless sounds the same as defenseless in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.