How to pronounce downplay
Say it like DOWN-play. Downplay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce downplay. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- play
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downplay pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- playGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of downplay
American and British speakers say downplay in essentially the same way: /ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ/ in the US and /ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: DOWN-play.
What does downplay mean?
- To de-emphasize; to present or portray as less important or consequential.
Where does downplay come from?
Synthetic form of the phrase play down.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- minimize
- minimise
Questions about saying downplay
How do you pronounce downplay?
Say DOWN-play. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downplay?
Downplay has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · play.
Do Americans and Brits say downplay the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ/ and the British form is /ˈdaʊnˌpleɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.