How to pronounce due
Say it like DOO. Due is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce due. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Due pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of due
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: DYOO.
What does due mean?
- owed and payable immediately or on demand“payment is due”
- scheduled to arrive“the train is due in 15 minutes”
- suitable to or expected in the circumstances“all due respect”“due cause to honor them”
- that which is deserved or owed“give the devil his due”
- a payment that is due (e.g., as the price of membership)“the society dropped him for non-payment of dues”
- directly or exactly; straight“went due North”
Where does due come from?
From Middle English dewe, dew, due, from Old French deü (“due”), past participle of devoir (“to owe”), from Latin dēbēre (“to owe”), from dē- (“from”) + habeō (“to have”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with due
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of due.
Words that sound like due
Questions about saying due
How do you pronounce due?
Say DOO. The American pronunciation is /du/. In British English it is /djuː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in due?
Due is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: DOO.
Is due pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /djuː/ (DYOO).
What words sound the same as due?
Due sounds the same as dew, do in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.