How to pronounce downsize
Say it like DOWN-syze. Downsize 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 downsize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- syze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downsize 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.
- syzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of downsize
American and British speakers say downsize in essentially the same way: /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/ in the US and /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: DOWN-syze.
What does downsize mean?
- To reduce in size or number.“Joe and Edna moved to a bungalow after deciding to downsize when the children had left home.”
- To reduce the workforce of.“They downsized the division by offering attractive early-retirement packages and selling off an office building.”
- To terminate the employment of.“Joe got downsized and became a plumber.”
Where does downsize come from?
From down- + size.
Questions about saying downsize
How do you pronounce downsize?
Say DOWN-syze. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downsize?
Downsize has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · syze.
Do Americans and Brits say downsize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/ and the British form is /ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.