How to pronounce disabled
Say it like dih-SAY-buld. Disabled has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce disabled. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SAY
- buld
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Disabled pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- buldKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of disabled
American and British speakers say disabled in essentially the same way: /dɪˈseɪbəld/ in the US and /dɪˈseɪbəld/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-SAY-buld.
What does disabled mean?
- people collectively who are crippled or otherwise physically handicapped“technology to help the elderly and the disabled”
- having restricted mental or physical functioning as a consequence of injury or illness
Where does disabled come from?
From disable + -ed.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with disabled
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of disabled.
Questions about saying disabled
How do you pronounce disabled?
Say dih-SAY-buld. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈseɪbəld/. In British English it is /dɪˈseɪbəld/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in disabled?
Disabled has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SAY). Broken into parts: dih · SAY · buld.
Do Americans and Brits say disabled the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈseɪbəld/ and the British form is /dɪˈseɪbəld/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.