How to pronounce despondency
Say it like dih-SPON-dun-see. Despondency has four 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 despondency. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SPON
- dun
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Despondency 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.
- dunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of despondency
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: dih-SPON-dun-see.
What does despondency mean?
- The loss of hope or confidence; despair or dejection.
- A feeling of depression or disheartenment.
Where does despondency come from?
From Latin dēspondentia, from dēspondēns + -ia.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying despondency
How do you pronounce despondency?
Say dih-SPON-dun-see. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈspɑndənsi/. In British English it is /dɪˈspɒndənsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in despondency?
Despondency has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPON). Broken into parts: dih · SPON · dun · see.
Is despondency 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 /dɪˈspɒndənsi/ (dih-SPON-dun-see).