How to pronounce disbelieve
Say it like dis-buh-LEEV. Disbelieve has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LEEV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce disbelieve. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dis
- buh
- LEEV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Disbelieve pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- disKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEEVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of disbelieve
American and British speakers say disbelieve in essentially the same way: /dɪsbəˈliv/ in the US and /dɪsbɪˈliːv/ in the UK.
British respelling: dis-bih-LEEV.
What does disbelieve mean?
- To not believe; to exercise disbelief.“If you disbelieve such people, then keep disbelieving them for as long as you live or want.”
- To actively deny (a statement, opinion or perception).“He chose to disbelieve the bad news as inconceivable.”
- To cease to believe.
Where does disbelieve come from?
Coined circa 1640, from dis- + believe.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with disbelieve
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of disbelieve.
Questions about saying disbelieve
How do you pronounce disbelieve?
Say dis-buh-LEEV. The American pronunciation is /dɪsbəˈliv/. In British English it is /dɪsbɪˈliːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in disbelieve?
Disbelieve has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LEEV). Broken into parts: dis · buh · LEEV.
Do Americans and Brits say disbelieve the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪsbəˈliv/ and the British form is /dɪsbɪˈliːv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.