How to pronounce deficiency
Say it like dih-FISH-un-see. Deficiency has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deficiency. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FISH
- un
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deficiency 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.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of deficiency
American and British speakers say deficiency in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ in the US and /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FISH-un-see.
What does deficiency mean?
- the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable“there is a serious lack of insight into the problem”“water is the critical deficiency in desert regions”
- lack of an adequate quantity or number“the inadequacy of unemployment benefits”
Where does deficiency come from?
From deficient + -cy.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with deficiency
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deficiency.
Questions about saying deficiency
How do you pronounce deficiency?
Say dih-FISH-un-see. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deficiency?
Deficiency has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH). Broken into parts: dih · FISH · un · see.
Do Americans and Brits say deficiency the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.