How to pronounce failure
Say it like FAY-lyer. Failure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈfeɪljɚ/FAY-lyer
UK British/ˈfeɪljə/FAY-lyuh
- FAY
- lyer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Failure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- lyerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of failure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FAY-lyuh.
What does failure mean?
noun
- State or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, opposite of success.
- A condition in which a specified organ does not function well enough to support life.“heart failure”
- Omission to do something, whether or not it was attempted, especially something that ought to have been done.
Where does failure come from?
From Anglo-Norman failer, from Old French faillir (“to fail”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- loser
- dud
- fail
- failing
- insufficiency
- nonstarter
- unsuccessful person
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying failure
How do you pronounce failure?
Say FAY-lyer. The American pronunciation is /ˈfeɪljɚ/. In British English it is /ˈfeɪljə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in failure?
Failure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FAY). Broken into parts: FAY · lyer.
Is failure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfeɪljə/ (FAY-lyuh).