How to pronounce impetus
Say it like IM-puh-tus. Impetus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce impetus. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IM
- puh
- tus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Impetus pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- IMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of impetus
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: IM-puh-tus.
What does impetus mean?
- Anything that impels; a stimulating factor.“The outbreak of World War II in 1939 gave a new impetus to receiver development.”
- A force, either internal or external, that impels; an impulse.
- The force or energy associated with a moving body; a stimulus.
Where does impetus come from?
Borrowed from Latin impetus (“a rushing upon, an attack, assault, onset”), from impetō (“to rush upon, attack”), from in- (“upon”) + petō (“to seek, fall upon”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying impetus
How do you pronounce impetus?
Say IM-puh-tus. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪmpətəs/. In British English it is /ˈɪmpətəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in impetus?
Impetus has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IM). Broken into parts: IM · puh · tus.
Is impetus pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈɪmpətəs/ (IM-puh-tus).