How to pronounce diarrhea
Say it like dy-uh-REE-uh. Diarrhea has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce diarrhea. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- uh
- REE
- uh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Diarrhea 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.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of diarrhea
American and British speakers say diarrhea in essentially the same way: /ˌdaɪəˈriə/ in the US and /ˌdaɪəˈriːə/ in the UK.
British respelling: dy-uh-REE-uh.
What does diarrhea mean?
- frequent and watery bowel movements; can be a symptom of infection or food poisoning or colitis or a gastrointestinal tumor
Where does diarrhea come from?
Displaced native Old English ūtsiht (literally “straining out”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with diarrhea
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of diarrhea.
Words that sound like diarrhea
Questions about saying diarrhea
How do you pronounce diarrhea?
Say dy-uh-REE-uh. The American pronunciation is /ˌdaɪəˈriə/. In British English it is /ˌdaɪəˈriːə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in diarrhea?
Diarrhea has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (REE). Broken into parts: dy · uh · REE · uh.
Do Americans and Brits say diarrhea the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌdaɪəˈriə/ and the British form is /ˌdaɪəˈriːə/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as diarrhea?
Diarrhea sounds the same as diarrhoea in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.