How to pronounce hapless
Say it like HAP-lus. Hapless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hapless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAP
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hapless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hapless
American and British speakers say hapless in essentially the same way: /ˈhæpləs/ in the US and /ˈhæpləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAP-lus.
What does hapless mean?
- Especially of a person, unfortunate.
- Very unlucky; ill-fated.
- Very miserable, wretched, unhappy, measly, forlorn.
Where does hapless come from?
From about 1400, from hap (“luck”) + -less.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with hapless
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hapless.
Questions about saying hapless
How do you pronounce hapless?
Say HAP-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈhæpləs/. In British English it is /ˈhæpləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hapless?
Hapless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HAP). Broken into parts: HAP · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say hapless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhæpləs/ and the British form is /ˈhæpləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.