How to pronounce instability
Say it like in-stuh-BIL-ih-tee. Instability has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BIL).
- in
- stuh
- BIL
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Instability 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.
- stuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of instability
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: in-stuh-BIL-ih-tee.
What does instability mean?
- an unstable order
- unreliability attributable to being unstable
- a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium“a hormonal imbalance”
Where does instability come from?
Morphologically in- + stability.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with instability
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of instability.
- facility
- disability
- liability
- inability
- credibility
- visibility
- sustainability
- eligibility
- vulnerability
- humility
Questions about saying instability
How do you pronounce instability?
Say in-stuh-BIL-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/. In British English it is /ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in instability?
Instability has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BIL). Broken into parts: in · stuh · BIL · ih · tee.
Is instability 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 /ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/ (in-stuh-BIL-ih-tee).