How to pronounce detest
Say it like dih-TEST. Detest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce detest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- TEST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Detest 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.
- TESTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of detest
American and British speakers say detest in essentially the same way: /dɪˈtɛst/ in the US and /dɪˈtɛst/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-TEST.
What does detest mean?
- To dislike (someone or something) intensely; to loathe.“I detest snakes.”
Where does detest come from?
From Middle French detester (French détester), from Latin dētestor (“to imprecate evil while calling the gods to witness", "denounce", "hate intensely”), from dē- + testor (“to testify, bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”); see test, testify.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with detest
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of detest.
Questions about saying detest
How do you pronounce detest?
Say dih-TEST. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈtɛst/. In British English it is /dɪˈtɛst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in detest?
Detest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEST). Broken into parts: dih · TEST.
Do Americans and Brits say detest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈtɛst/ and the British form is /dɪˈtɛst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.