How to pronounce despondence
Say it like dih-SPON-duns. Despondence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce despondence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SPON
- duns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Despondence 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.
- SPONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- dunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of despondence
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: dih-SPON-duns.
What does despondence mean?
- The state of being downcast or despondent.
Where does despondence come from?
From despond + -ence.
Words that rhyme with despondence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of despondence.
Questions about saying despondence
How do you pronounce despondence?
Say dih-SPON-duns. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈspɑndəns/. In British English it is /dɪˈspɒndəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in despondence?
Despondence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPON). Broken into parts: dih · SPON · duns.
Is despondence pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /dɪˈspɒndəns/ (dih-SPON-duns).