How to pronounce distortion
Say it like dih-STOR-shun. Distortion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distortion. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- STOR
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distortion 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.
- STORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of distortion
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-STAW-shun.
What does distortion mean?
- a change for the worse
- a shape resulting from distortion
- an optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image
Where does distortion come from?
Borrowed from Latin distortio, distortionis, from distortus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with distortion
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distortion.
Questions about saying distortion
How do you pronounce distortion?
Say dih-STOR-shun. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈstɔrʃən/. In British English it is /dɪˈstɔːʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distortion?
Distortion has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STOR). Broken into parts: dih · STOR · shun.
Is distortion pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /dɪˈstɔːʃən/ (dih-STAW-shun).