How to pronounce enemy
Say it like EN-uh-mee. Enemy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce enemy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EN
- uh
- mee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Enemy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- meeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of enemy
American and British speakers say enemy in essentially the same way: /ˈɛnəmi/ in the US and /ˈɛnəmi/ in the UK.
British respelling: EN-uh-mee.
What does enemy mean?
- an opposing military force“the enemy attacked at dawn”
- an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)“a soldier must be prepared to kill his enemies”
- any hostile group of people“he viewed lawyers as the real enemy”
Where does enemy come from?
From Middle English enemy, enemye, enmy, borrowed from Old French enemi, anemi (Modern French ennemi), from Latin inimīcus, from in- (“not”) + amīcus (“friend”).
Questions about saying enemy
How do you pronounce enemy?
Say EN-uh-mee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛnəmi/. In British English it is /ˈɛnəmi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in enemy?
Enemy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EN). Broken into parts: EN · uh · mee.
Do Americans and Brits say enemy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛnəmi/ and the British form is /ˈɛnəmi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.