How to pronounce dismiss
Say it like dih-SMIS. Dismiss has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SMIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce dismiss. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- SMIS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Dismiss 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.
- SMISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of dismiss
American and British speakers say dismiss in essentially the same way: /dɪˈsmɪs/ in the US and /dɪˈsmɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-SMIS.
What does dismiss mean?
- bar from attention or consideration“She dismissed his advances”
- cease to consider; put out of judicial consideration“This case is dismissed!”
- stop associating with“They dropped her after she had a child out of wedlock”
Where does dismiss come from?
Middle English, from Latin dimissus (“sent away, dismissed, banished”), perfect passive participle of dīmittō (“send away, dismiss”), from dis- + mittere (“to send”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with dismiss
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of dismiss.
Questions about saying dismiss
How do you pronounce dismiss?
Say dih-SMIS. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈsmɪs/. In British English it is /dɪˈsmɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in dismiss?
Dismiss has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SMIS). Broken into parts: dih · SMIS.
Do Americans and Brits say dismiss the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈsmɪs/ and the British form is /dɪˈsmɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.