How to pronounce downturn
Say it like DOWN-turn. Downturn 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 downturn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOWN
- turn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Downturn 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.
- turnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of downturn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: DOWN-turn.
What does downturn mean?
- A downward trend, or the beginnings of one.“The downturn in the economy made it harder to find jobs.”
- To turn downwards.
- To decline.
Where does downturn come from?
From down- + turn.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying downturn
How do you pronounce downturn?
Say DOWN-turn. The American pronunciation is /ˈdaʊnˌtɝn/. In British English it is /ˈdaʊntɜːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in downturn?
Downturn has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOWN). Broken into parts: DOWN · turn.
Is downturn pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈdaʊntɜːn/ (DOWN-turn).