How to pronounce distress
Say it like dih-STRES. Distress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce distress. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- STRES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Distress 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.
- STRESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of distress
American and British speakers say distress in essentially the same way: /dɪˈstrɛs/ in the US and /dɪˈstrɛs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-STRES.
What does distress mean?
- psychological suffering“the death of his wife caused him great distress”
- a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)“a ship in distress”“she was the classic maiden in distress”
- extreme physical pain“the patient appeared to be in distress”
- bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship
- cause mental pain to“The news of her child's illness distressed the mother”
Where does distress come from?
The noun is from Middle English distresse, from Old French destrece, ultimately also from Latin distringō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with distress
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of distress.
Questions about saying distress
How do you pronounce distress?
Say dih-STRES. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈstrɛs/. In British English it is /dɪˈstrɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in distress?
Distress has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STRES). Broken into parts: dih · STRES.
Do Americans and Brits say distress the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈstrɛs/ and the British form is /dɪˈstrɛs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.