How to pronounce hopeless
Say it like HOHP-lus. Hopeless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hopeless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOHP
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hopeless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hopeless
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOHP-lis.
What does hopeless mean?
- without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success“in an agony of hopeless grief”“with a hopeless sigh he sat down”
- of a person unable to do something skillfully“I'm hopeless at mathematics”
- certain to fail“the situation is hopeless”
Where does hopeless come from?
From hope + -less. Compare Swedish hopplös.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying hopeless
How do you pronounce hopeless?
Say HOHP-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊpləs/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊplɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hopeless?
Hopeless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHP). Broken into parts: HOHP · lus.
Is hopeless pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊplɪs/ (HOHP-lis).