How to pronounce divest
Say it like dy-VEST. Divest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce divest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dy
- VEST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Divest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- VESTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of divest
American and British speakers say divest in essentially the same way: /daɪˈvɛst/ in the US and /daɪˈvɛst/ in the UK.
British respelling: dy-VEST.
What does divest mean?
- To strip, deprive, or dispossess (someone) of something (such as a right, passion, privilege, or prejudice).“You shall never divest me of my right to free speech.”
- To sell off or be rid of through sale, especially of a subsidiary.“In 2011, the company divested an 81% majority stake in its foreign subsidiary.”
Where does divest come from?
Alteration of devest, from Middle French devester (“strip of possessions”), from Old French desvestir, from des- (“dis-”) + vestir (“to clothe”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with divest
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of divest.
Questions about saying divest
How do you pronounce divest?
Say dy-VEST. The American pronunciation is /daɪˈvɛst/. In British English it is /daɪˈvɛst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in divest?
Divest has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEST). Broken into parts: dy · VEST.
Do Americans and Brits say divest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /daɪˈvɛst/ and the British form is /daɪˈvɛst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.