How to pronounce despondent
Say it like dih-SPON-dunt. Despondent 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 despondent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SPON
- dunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Despondent 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.
- duntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of despondent
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: dih-SPON-dunt.
What does despondent mean?
- In low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
Where does despondent come from?
From Latin dēspondēns, from the verb despondere (“to give up, to abandon”).
Words that rhyme with despondent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of despondent.
Questions about saying despondent
How do you pronounce despondent?
Say dih-SPON-dunt. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈspɑndənt/. In British English it is /dɪˈspɒndənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in despondent?
Despondent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPON). Broken into parts: dih · SPON · dunt.
Is despondent 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 /dɪˈspɒndənt/ (dih-SPON-dunt).