How to pronounce defiant
Say it like dih-FY-unt. Defiant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defiant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FY
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defiant 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.
- FYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of defiant
American and British speakers say defiant in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfaɪənt/ in the US and /dɪˈfaɪjənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FY-yunt.
What does defiant mean?
- Defying.
- Boldly resisting opposition.
- One who defies opposition.
Where does defiant come from?
Borrowed from French défiant, from the verb défier.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with defiant
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defiant.
Questions about saying defiant
How do you pronounce defiant?
Say dih-FY-unt. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfaɪənt/. In British English it is /dɪˈfaɪjənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defiant?
Defiant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FY). Broken into parts: dih · FY · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say defiant the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfaɪənt/ and the British form is /dɪˈfaɪjənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.