How to pronounce disdain
Say it like dis-DAYN. Disdain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAYN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce disdain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dis
- DAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Disdain 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.
- DAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of disdain
American and British speakers say disdain in essentially the same way: /dɪsˈdeɪn/ in the US and /dɪsˈdeɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: dis-DAYN.
What does disdain mean?
- To regard (someone or something) with strong contempt.
- A feeling of contempt or scorn.“The cat viewed the cheap supermarket catfood with disdain and stalked away.”
Where does disdain come from?
From Middle English disdeynen, from Old French desdeignier (modern French dédaigner).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with disdain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of disdain.
Questions about saying disdain
How do you pronounce disdain?
Say dis-DAYN. The American pronunciation is /dɪsˈdeɪn/. In British English it is /dɪsˈdeɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in disdain?
Disdain has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DAYN). Broken into parts: dis · DAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say disdain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪsˈdeɪn/ and the British form is /dɪsˈdeɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.