How to pronounce diabetes
Say it like dy-uh-BEE-teez. Diabetes has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diabetes. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- uh
- BEE
- teez
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diabetes pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- teezKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of diabetes
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: dy-uh-BEE-teez.
What does diabetes mean?
- a polygenic disease characterized by abnormally high glucose levels in the blood; any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive urination and persistent thirst
Questions about saying diabetes
How do you pronounce diabetes?
Say dy-uh-BEE-teez. The American pronunciation is /ˌdaɪəˈbitiz/. In British English it is /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diabetes?
Diabetes has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BEE). Broken into parts: dy · uh · BEE · teez.
Is diabetes pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz/ (dy-uh-BEE-teez).