How to pronounce defenselessness
Say it like dih-FENS-lus-nus. Defenselessness has four 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 defenselessness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FENS
- lus
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defenselessness 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.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of defenselessness
American and British speakers say defenselessness in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛnsləsnəs/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛnsləsnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FENS-lus-nus.
What does defenselessness mean?
- The characteristic of being defenseless; vulnerability.
Where does defenselessness come from?
From defenseless + -ness.
Questions about saying defenselessness
How do you pronounce defenselessness?
Say dih-FENS-lus-nus. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛnsləsnəs/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛnsləsnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defenselessness?
Defenselessness has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FENS). Broken into parts: dih · FENS · lus · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say defenselessness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɛnsləsnəs/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛnsləsnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.