How to pronounce impairment
Say it like im-PAIR-munt. Impairment has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impairment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- PAIR
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impairment pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impairment
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: im-PAIR-munt.
What does impairment mean?
- the occurrence of a change for the worse
- a symptom of reduced quality or strength
- the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness“reading disability”“hearing impairment”
Where does impairment come from?
From Middle English empeirement, empeyrement, emparement, from Anglo-Norman empairement, emperement, enpeirement, from Old French ampirement, anpirement, enperement, equivalent to impair + -ment.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying impairment
How do you pronounce impairment?
Say im-PAIR-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪmˈpɛrmənt/. In British English it is /ɪmˈpɛəmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impairment?
Impairment has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAIR). Broken into parts: im · PAIR · munt.
Is impairment pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɪmˈpɛəmənt/ (im-PAIR-munt).