How to pronounce define
Say it like dih-FYNE. Define has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYNE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce define. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FYNE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Define 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.
- FYNESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of define
American and British speakers say define in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfaɪn/ in the US and /dɪˈfaɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FYNE.
What does define mean?
- determine the essential quality of
- give a definition for the meaning of a word“Define `sadness'”
- determine the nature of“What defines a good wine?”
Where does define come from?
From Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with define
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of define.
Questions about saying define
How do you pronounce define?
Say dih-FYNE. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfaɪn/. In British English it is /dɪˈfaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in define?
Define has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYNE). Broken into parts: dih · FYNE.
Do Americans and Brits say define the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfaɪn/ and the British form is /dɪˈfaɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.