How to pronounce devolution
Say it like dev-uh-LOO-shun. Devolution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce devolution. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dev
- uh
- LOO
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Devolution pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- devGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of devolution
American and British speakers say devolution in essentially the same way: /ˌdɛvəˈluʃən/ in the US and /diːvəˈluːʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: dee-vuh-LOO-shun.
What does devolution mean?
- A rolling down.
- A descent, especially one that passes through a series of revolutions, or by succession.
- The transference of a right to a successor, or of a power from one body to another.
Where does devolution come from?
Borrowed from Middle French dévolution, from Medieval Latin devolutio, devolutionis, from Latin devolvo.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with devolution
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of devolution.
- solution
- distribution
- resolution
- constitution
- revolution
- institution
- contribution
- execution
- pollution
- prosecution
Questions about saying devolution
How do you pronounce devolution?
Say dev-uh-LOO-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌdɛvəˈluʃən/. In British English it is /diːvəˈluːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in devolution?
Devolution has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LOO). Broken into parts: dev · uh · LOO · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say devolution the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdɛvəˈluʃən/ and the British form is /diːvəˈluːʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.