How to pronounce deleterious
Say it like del-uh-TIR-ee-us. Deleterious has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deleterious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- del
- uh
- TIR
- ee
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deleterious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- delGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of deleterious
American and British speakers say deleterious in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛləˈtɪriəs/ in the US and /ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəriəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: del-ih-TEER-ree-us.
What does deleterious mean?
- Harmful, often in a subtle or unexpected way.“deleterious effects”
- Having lower fitness.“A deleterious mutation”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with deleterious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deleterious.
Questions about saying deleterious
How do you pronounce deleterious?
Say del-uh-TIR-ee-us. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛləˈtɪriəs/. In British English it is /ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəriəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deleterious?
Deleterious has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TIR). Broken into parts: del · uh · TIR · ee · us.
Do Americans and Brits say deleterious the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛləˈtɪriəs/ and the British form is /ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəriəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.