How to pronounce detrimental
Say it like det-ruh-MEN-tul. Detrimental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce detrimental. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- det
- ruh
- MEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Detrimental pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- detGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of detrimental
American and British speakers say detrimental in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/ in the US and /ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: det-ruh-MEN-tul.
What does detrimental mean?
- (sometimes followed by to) causing harm or injury“damaging to career and reputation”“the reporter's coverage resulted in prejudicial publicity for the defendant”
Where does detrimental come from?
From Medieval Latin *dētrīmentālis, from Latin dētrīmentum (“harm”), from dēterō (“to rub off, wear”), from dē- (“down, away”) + terō (“to rub or grab”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with detrimental
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of detrimental.
- environmental
- fundamental
- experimental
- gentle
- dental
- rental
- continental
- instrumental
- accidental
- developmental
Questions about saying detrimental
How do you pronounce detrimental?
Say det-ruh-MEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in detrimental?
Detrimental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN). Broken into parts: det · ruh · MEN · tul.
Do Americans and Brits say detrimental the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/ and the British form is /ˌdɛtrəˈmɛntəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.