How to pronounce forbearance
Say it like fer-BER-unts. Forbearance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forbearance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fer
- BER
- unts
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forbearance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- untsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of forbearance
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: fuh-BAIR-runts.
What does forbearance mean?
- The action of forbearing (“abstaining or refraining from doing something”); (countable) an instance of this.
- The action of refraining from enforcing something which is due (such as a debt or obligation) or a right which one has; (countable) an instance of this.
- Restraint and tolerance under provocation; patient self-control; indulgence, lenity.
Where does forbearance come from?
From forbear (“to keep away from, avoid”) + -ance (suffix forming nouns indicating conditions or states).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying forbearance
How do you pronounce forbearance?
Say fer-BER-unts. The American pronunciation is /fərˈbɛrənts/. In British English it is /fəˈbɛərənts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forbearance?
Forbearance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BER). Broken into parts: fer · BER · unts.
Is forbearance 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 /fəˈbɛərənts/ (fuh-BAIR-runts).