How to pronounce inheritance
Say it like in-HER-uh-tuns. Inheritance has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inheritance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- HER
- uh
- tuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inheritance 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.
- HERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inheritance
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-HER-ih-tuns.
What does inheritance mean?
- hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
- that which is inherited; a title or property or estate that passes by law to the heir on the death of the owner
- (genetics) attributes acquired via biological heredity from the parents
Where does inheritance come from?
Inherited from Middle English enheritaunce, inheritaunce, borrowed from Anglo-Norman, Old French enheritaunce, from enheriter.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying inheritance
How do you pronounce inheritance?
Say in-HER-uh-tuns. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈhɛrətəns/. In British English it is /ɪnˈhɛrɪtəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inheritance?
Inheritance has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HER). Broken into parts: in · HER · uh · tuns.
Is inheritance 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 /ɪnˈhɛrɪtəns/ (in-HER-ih-tuns).