How to pronounce insecure
Say it like IN-suh-kyer. Insecure 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 insecure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- suh
- kyer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Insecure 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.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kyerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of insecure
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-suh-KYOOR.
What does insecure mean?
- not firm or firmly fixed; likely to fail or give way“the hinge is insecure”
- lacking in security or safety“his fortune was increasingly insecure”“an insecure future”
- lacking self-confidence or assurance“an insecure person lacking mental stability”
Where does insecure come from?
From in- + secure, or from Medieval Latin insēcūrus, itself from in- (“in-, un-, non-”) + sēcūrus (“safe, certain”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying insecure
How do you pronounce insecure?
Say IN-suh-kyer. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnsəkjɚ/. In British English it is /ɪnsəˈkjʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in insecure?
Insecure has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · suh · kyer.
Is insecure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ɪnsəˈkjʊə/ (in-suh-KYOOR).