How to pronounce inferior
Say it like in-FIR-ee-er. Inferior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inferior. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- FIR
- ee
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inferior 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.
- FIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of inferior
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-FEER-ee-uh.
What does inferior mean?
- of or characteristic of low rank or importance
- of low or inferior quality
- written or printed below and to one side of another character
- one of lesser rank or station or quality
- a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character
Where does inferior come from?
Borrowed from Latin īnferior (“lower in situation or place”), comparative of īnferus (“below, underneath”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with inferior
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inferior.
Questions about saying inferior
How do you pronounce inferior?
Say in-FIR-ee-er. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈfɪriɚ/. In British English it is /ɪnˈfɪəriə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inferior?
Inferior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FIR). Broken into parts: in · FIR · ee · er.
Is inferior 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 /ɪnˈfɪəriə/ (in-FEER-ee-uh).