How to pronounce defenseless
Say it like dih-FEN-slus. Defenseless has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defenseless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FEN
- slus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defenseless 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.
- FENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- slusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of defenseless
American and British speakers say defenseless in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛnsləs/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛnsləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FEN-slus.
What does defenseless mean?
- Lacking any form of defense; vulnerable; open to attack.
Where does defenseless come from?
From defense + -less.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- defenceless
Words that rhyme with defenseless
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defenseless.
Questions about saying defenseless
How do you pronounce defenseless?
Say dih-FEN-slus. 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 defenseless?
Defenseless has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEN). Broken into parts: dih · FEN · slus.
Do Americans and Brits say defenseless 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.