How to pronounce incidence
Say it like IN-suh-duns. Incidence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incidence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- suh
- duns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incidence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- dunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of incidence
American and British speakers say incidence in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnsədəns/ in the US and /ˈɪnsɪdəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-sih-duns.
What does incidence mean?
- the relative frequency of occurrence of something
- the striking of a light beam on a surface“he measured the angle of incidence of the reflected light”
Where does incidence come from?
From Middle French incidence, from Medieval Latin incidentia (“a falling upon”), from Latin incidens, present participle of incidere (“to fall upon”), from in (“on”) + cadere (“to fall”).
Questions about saying incidence
How do you pronounce incidence?
Say IN-suh-duns. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnsədəns/. In British English it is /ˈɪnsɪdəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incidence?
Incidence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · suh · duns.
Do Americans and Brits say incidence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnsədəns/ and the British form is /ˈɪnsɪdəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.