How to pronounce depression
Say it like dih-PRESH-un. Depression has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce depression. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- PRESH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Depression 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.
- PRESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of depression
American and British speakers say depression in essentially the same way: /dɪˈprɛʃən/ in the US and /dɪˈprɛʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-PRESH-un.
What does depression mean?
- a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
- a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment
- a sunken or depressed geological formation
Where does depression come from?
From Middle English depression, depressioun, from Old French depression, from Latin dēpressiō.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with depression
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of depression.
Questions about saying depression
How do you pronounce depression?
Say dih-PRESH-un. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈprɛʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˈprɛʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in depression?
Depression has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRESH). Broken into parts: dih · PRESH · un.
Do Americans and Brits say depression the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈprɛʃən/ and the British form is /dɪˈprɛʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.