How to pronounce incumbent
Say it like in-KUHM-bunt. Incumbent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incumbent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- KUHM
- bunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incumbent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- buntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of incumbent
American and British speakers say incumbent in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/ in the US and /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-KUHM-bunt.
What does incumbent mean?
- the official who holds an office
- lying or leaning on something else“an incumbent geological formation”
- necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility; morally binding“it is incumbent on them to pay their own debts”
- currently holding an office“the incumbent governor”
Where does incumbent come from?
From Latin incumbentem + English -ent (suffix denoting the causing, doing, or promoting of an action).
Questions about saying incumbent
How do you pronounce incumbent?
Say in-KUHM-bunt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/. In British English it is /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incumbent?
Incumbent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KUHM). Broken into parts: in · KUHM · bunt.
Do Americans and Brits say incumbent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈkʌmbənt/ and the British form is /ɪnˈkʌmbənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.