How to pronounce defuse
Say it like dih-FYOOZ. Defuse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYOOZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defuse. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FYOOZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defuse 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.
- FYOOZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of defuse
American and British speakers say defuse in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfjuz/ in the US and /dɪˈfjuːz/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FYOOZ.
What does defuse mean?
- To remove the fuse from (e.g. a bomb).
- To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile.“The diplomats are trying to defuse the escalating crisis.”
Where does defuse come from?
From de- + fuse.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with defuse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defuse.
Words that sound like defuse
Questions about saying defuse
How do you pronounce defuse?
Say dih-FYOOZ. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfjuz/. In British English it is /dɪˈfjuːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defuse?
Defuse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYOOZ). Broken into parts: dih · FYOOZ.
Do Americans and Brits say defuse the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfjuz/ and the British form is /dɪˈfjuːz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as defuse?
Defuse sounds the same as diffuse in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.