How to pronounce expendable
Say it like ik-SPEN-duh-bul. Expendable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEN).
- ik
- SPEN
- duh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Expendable pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SPENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of expendable
American and British speakers say expendable in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈspɛndəbəl/ in the US and /ɪkˈspɛndəbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-SPEN-duh-bul.
What does expendable mean?
- Able to be expended; not inexhaustible.“Oil and other expendable resources are frequently the subject of military disputes.”
- Designed for a single use; not reusable.“The anti-aircraft rocket is fired from an expendable launch platform.”
- Not essential or mandatory in order to achieve a goal.“The research department was deemed expendable, and its funding was not renewed.”
- An expendable person or object; usually used in the plural.“Private Johnson was afraid the Lieutenant considered him an expendable, since he was always picked as point man.”
Where does expendable come from?
From expend + -able.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- finite
- limited
- disposable
- throwaway
Words that rhyme with expendable
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of expendable.
Questions about saying expendable
How do you pronounce expendable?
Say ik-SPEN-duh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈspɛndəbəl/. In British English it is /ɪkˈspɛndəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in expendable?
Expendable has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEN). Broken into parts: ik · SPEN · duh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say expendable the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈspɛndəbəl/ and the British form is /ɪkˈspɛndəbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.