How to pronounce illness
Say it like IL-nus. Illness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IL
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of illness
American and British speakers say illness in essentially the same way: /ˈɪlnəs/ in the US and /ˈɪlnɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: IL-nis.
What does illness mean?
- impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
Where does illness come from?
From ill + -ness.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying illness
How do you pronounce illness?
Say IL-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪlnəs/. In British English it is /ˈɪlnɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illness?
Illness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IL). Broken into parts: IL · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say illness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪlnəs/ and the British form is /ˈɪlnɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.