How to pronounce freedom
Say it like FREE-dum. Freedom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FREE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce freedom. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FREE
- dum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Freedom pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FREESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- dumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of freedom
American and British speakers say freedom in essentially the same way: /ˈfridəm/ in the US and /ˈfriːdəm/ in the UK.
British respelling: FREE-dum.
What does freedom mean?
- the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
- immunity from an obligation or duty
Where does freedom come from?
From Middle English fredom, freedom, from Old English frēodōm (“freedom, state of free-will, charter, emancipation, deliverance”), from Proto-West Germanic *frijadōm (“freedom”).
Questions about saying freedom
How do you pronounce freedom?
Say FREE-dum. The American pronunciation is /ˈfridəm/. In British English it is /ˈfriːdəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in freedom?
Freedom has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FREE). Broken into parts: FREE · dum.
Do Americans and Brits say freedom the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈfridəm/ and the British form is /ˈfriːdəm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.