How to pronounce duty
Say it like DOO-tee. Duty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce duty. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DOO
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Duty 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.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of duty
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: DYOO-tee.
What does duty mean?
- the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force“we must instill a sense of duty in our children”“every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty”
- work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons“the duties of the job”
- a government tax on imports or exports“they signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries”
Where does duty come from?
From Middle English duete, from Middle English dewe + Middle English -te.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with duty
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of duty.
Questions about saying duty
How do you pronounce duty?
Say DOO-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈduti/. In British English it is /ˈdjuːti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in duty?
Duty has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DOO). Broken into parts: DOO · tee.
Is duty 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 /ˈdjuːti/ (DYOO-tee).