How to pronounce deviation
Say it like dee-vee-AY-shun. Deviation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deviation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dee
- vee
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deviation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- deeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of deviation
American and British speakers say deviation in essentially the same way: /ˌdiviˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌdiːvɪˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dee-vih-AY-shun.
What does deviation mean?
- The act of deviating; wandering off the correct or true path or road.
- A departure from the correct way of acting.
- The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.“mankind’s deviation from divine will”
Where does deviation come from?
From Middle French deviation, from Medieval Latin deviatio.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with deviation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deviation.
Questions about saying deviation
How do you pronounce deviation?
Say dee-vee-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdiviˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌdiːvɪˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deviation?
Deviation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY). Broken into parts: dee · vee · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say deviation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdiviˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌdiːvɪˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.