How to pronounce exhaust
Say it like ig-ZAWST. Exhaust has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZAWST).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce exhaust. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ig
- ZAWST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Exhaust pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- igKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZAWSTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of exhaust
American and British speakers say exhaust in essentially the same way: /ɪɡˈzɔst/ in the US and /ɪɡˈzɔːst/ in the UK.
British respelling: ig-ZAWST.
What does exhaust mean?
- wear out completely“This kind of work exhausts me”“I'm beat”
- use up (resources or materials)“this car consumes a lot of gas”“We exhausted our savings”
- deplete“exhaust one's savings”“We quickly played out our strength”
- gases ejected from an engine as waste products
- system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged
Where does exhaust come from?
From Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurīre (“to draw out, drink up, empty, exhaust”), from ex (“out”) + haurīre (“to draw (especially water), drain”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with exhaust
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of exhaust.
Questions about saying exhaust
How do you pronounce exhaust?
Say ig-ZAWST. The American pronunciation is /ɪɡˈzɔst/. In British English it is /ɪɡˈzɔːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in exhaust?
Exhaust has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZAWST). Broken into parts: ig · ZAWST.
Do Americans and Brits say exhaust the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪɡˈzɔst/ and the British form is /ɪɡˈzɔːst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.