How to pronounce desperation
Say it like des-puh-RAY-shun. Desperation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce desperation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- des
- puh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Desperation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- desGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of desperation
American and British speakers say desperation in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: des-puh-RAY-shun.
What does desperation mean?
- a state in which all hope is lost or absent“in the depths of despair”“they were rescued from despair at the last minute”
- desperate recklessness“it was a policy of desperation”
Where does desperation come from?
From Middle English desperacion, desperacioun, desperation, disparacion, disperacion, disperacioun, dispiracioune, dysperacioun, from Middle French desperation and its etymon Latin dēspērātiō, dēspērātiōnis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with desperation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of desperation.
Questions about saying desperation
How do you pronounce desperation?
Say des-puh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in desperation?
Desperation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: des · puh · RAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say desperation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌdɛspəˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.