How to pronounce downtime
Say it like DOWN-tyme. Downtime 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 downtime. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- tyme
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downtime 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.
- tymeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of downtime
American and British speakers say downtime in essentially the same way: /ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm/ in the US and /ˈdaʊntaɪm/ in the UK.
British respelling: DOWN-tyme.
What does downtime mean?
- Time lost due to the failure of some system or machinery, such as a computer crash or power outage.
- A period of time when work or other activity is less intense or stops.
- A period of time set aside for relaxation and rest; leisure time, free time.“I’ve been working all weekend. I need some downtime.”
Where does downtime come from?
From down (“out of order; out of service; inoperable”) + time.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
- uptime
Questions about saying downtime
How do you pronounce downtime?
Say DOWN-tyme. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊntaɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downtime?
Downtime has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · tyme.
Do Americans and Brits say downtime the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdaʊnˌtaɪm/ and the British form is /ˈdaʊntaɪm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.