How to pronounce downtrodden
Say it like DOWN-trod-un. Downtrodden has three 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 downtrodden. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- trod
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downtrodden 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.
- trodGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of downtrodden
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: DOWN-trod-un.
What does downtrodden mean?
- Oppressed, persecuted or subjugated.
- Trodden down.
- past participle of downtread How to pronounce downtread
- past participle of downtrod
Where does downtrodden come from?
From Middle English *dountroden, past participle of Middle English dountreden (“to tread down, trample”), equivalent to down- + trodden.
Questions about saying downtrodden
How do you pronounce downtrodden?
Say DOWN-trod-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnˌtrɑdən/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊnˌtrɒdən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downtrodden?
Downtrodden has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · trod · un.
Is downtrodden pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈdaʊnˌtrɒdən/ (DOWN-trod-un).