How to pronounce incident
Say it like IN-suh-dunt. Incident 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 incident. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- suh
- dunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incident 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.
- duntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of incident
American and British speakers say incident in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnsədənt/ in the US and /ˈɪnsɪdənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-sih-dunt.
What does incident mean?
- a single distinct event
- a public disturbance“the police investigated an incident at the bus station”
- falling or striking of light rays on something“incident light”
- (sometimes followed by to) minor or casual or subordinate in significance or nature or occurring as a chance concomitant or consequence“incidental expenses”“the road will bring other incidental advantages”
Where does incident come from?
Recorded since 1412, from Middle French incident, from Latin incidens, the present active participle of incidō (“to happen, befall”), itself from in- (“on”) + -cidō, the combining form of cadō (“to fall”).
Questions about saying incident
How do you pronounce incident?
Say IN-suh-dunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnsədənt/. In British English it is /ˈɪnsɪdənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incident?
Incident has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · suh · dunt.
Do Americans and Brits say incident the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnsədənt/ and the British form is /ˈɪnsɪdənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.