How to pronounce dignity
Say it like DIG-nuh-tee. Dignity has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dignity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DIG
- nuh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dignity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DIGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of dignity
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: DIG-nih-tee.
What does dignity mean?
- the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect“it was beneath his dignity to cheat”“showed his true dignity when under pressure”
- formality in bearing and appearance“he behaved with great dignity”
- high office or rank or station“he respected the dignity of the emissaries”
Where does dignity come from?
Inherited from Middle English dignyte, from Old French dignité, from Latin dignitās (“worthiness, merit, dignity, grandeur, authority, rank, office”), from dignus (“worthy, appropriate”), from Proto-Italic *degnos, from Proto-Indo-European
Questions about saying dignity
How do you pronounce dignity?
Say DIG-nuh-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɪɡnəti/. In British English it is /ˈdɪɡnɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dignity?
Dignity has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DIG). Broken into parts: DIG · nuh · tee.
Is dignity 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 /ˈdɪɡnɪti/ (DIG-nih-tee).