How to pronounce idleness
Say it like EYE-dul-nus. Idleness has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce idleness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- EYE
- dul
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Idleness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EYESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- dulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of idleness
American and British speakers say idleness in essentially the same way: /ˈaɪdəlnəs/ in the US and /ˈaɪdəlnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: EYE-dul-nus.
What does idleness mean?
- The state of being idle; inactivity.
- The state of being indolent; indolence.
- Groundlessness; worthlessness; triviality; vanity; frivolity.
Where does idleness come from?
From Middle English ydelnesse, from Old English īdelnes, from Proto-West Germanic *īdlanassī, equivalent to idle + -ness.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying idleness
How do you pronounce idleness?
Say EYE-dul-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈaɪdəlnəs/. In British English it is /ˈaɪdəlnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in idleness?
Idleness has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EYE). Broken into parts: EYE · dul · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say idleness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈaɪdəlnəs/ and the British form is /ˈaɪdəlnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.