How to pronounce inspire
Say it like in-SPIRE. Inspire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPIRE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inspire. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- SPIRE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inspire 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.
- SPIRESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of inspire
- American English uses 2 syllables and British English 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-SPY-uh.
What does inspire mean?
- heighten or intensify“These paintings exalt the imagination”
- supply the inspiration for“The article about the artist inspired the exhibition of his recent work”
- serve as the inciting cause of“She prompted me to call my relatives”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inspire
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inspire.
Questions about saying inspire
How do you pronounce inspire?
Say in-SPIRE. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnˈspaɪr/. In British English it is /ɪnˈspaɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inspire?
Inspire has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPIRE). Broken into parts: in · SPIRE.
Is inspire pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 2 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /ɪnˈspaɪə/ (in-SPY-uh).