How to pronounce innocence
Say it like IN-uh-suns. Innocence 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 innocence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- uh
- suns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Innocence 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.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of innocence
American and British speakers say innocence in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnəsəns/ in the US and /ˈɪnəsəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-uh-suns.
What does innocence mean?
- the quality of innocent naivete
- the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; lacking a knowledge of evil
- a state or condition of being innocent of a specific crime or offense“the trial established his innocence”
Where does innocence come from?
Inherited from Middle English innocence, from Old French innocence, inocence, from Latin innocentia.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying innocence
How do you pronounce innocence?
Say IN-uh-suns. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnəsəns/. In British English it is /ˈɪnəsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in innocence?
Innocence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · uh · suns.
Do Americans and Brits say innocence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnəsəns/ and the British form is /ˈɪnəsəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.