How to pronounce inhibit
Say it like in-HIB-ut. Inhibit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inhibit. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- HIB
- ut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inhibit 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.
- HIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- utKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inhibit
American and British speakers say inhibit in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnˈhɪbət/ in the US and /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-HIB-it.
What does inhibit mean?
- To hold in or hold back; to keep in check; restrain.“inhibit someone's freedom”
- To recuse.
Where does inhibit come from?
From Latin inhibitus, perfect passive participle of inhibeō (“to hold in, check, restrain”), from in (“in, at, on”), + habeō (“to have, hold, keep”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inhibit
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inhibit.
Questions about saying inhibit
How do you pronounce inhibit?
Say in-HIB-ut. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈhɪbət/. In British English it is /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inhibit?
Inhibit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HIB). Broken into parts: in · HIB · ut.
Do Americans and Brits say inhibit the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnˈhɪbət/ and the British form is /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.