How to pronounce difficult
Say it like DIF-uh-kult. Difficult has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF).
- DIF
- uh
- kult
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Difficult pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kultKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of difficult
American and British speakers say difficult in essentially the same way: /ˈdɪfəkəlt/ in the US and /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/ in the UK.
British respelling: DIF-ih-kult.
What does difficult mean?
- Hard, not easy, requiring much effort.“difficult of accomplishment”
- Hard to manage, uncooperative, troublesome.“Stop being difficult and eat your broccoli, you know it's good for you.”
Where does difficult come from?
The verb is from the adjective, partly after Middle French difficulter and its etymon Latin difficultō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying difficult
How do you pronounce difficult?
Say DIF-uh-kult. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪfəkəlt/. In British English it is /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in difficult?
Difficult has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIF). Broken into parts: DIF · uh · kult.
Do Americans and Brits say difficult the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɪfəkəlt/ and the British form is /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.