How to pronounce envy
Say it like EN-vee. Envy has two 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 envy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EN
- vee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Envy 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.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of envy
American and British speakers say envy in essentially the same way: /ˈɛnvi/ in the US and /ˈɛnvi/ in the UK.
British respelling: EN-vee.
What does envy mean?
- feel envious towards; admire enviously
- be envious of; set one's heart on
- a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
- spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Where does envy come from?
Displaced native Old English æfest and Old English nīþ.
Questions about saying envy
How do you pronounce envy?
Say EN-vee. The American pronunciation is /ˈɛnvi/. In British English it is /ˈɛnvi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in envy?
Envy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EN). Broken into parts: EN · vee.
Do Americans and Brits say envy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɛnvi/ and the British form is /ˈɛnvi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.