How to pronounce insufficient
Say it like in-suh-FISH-unt. Insufficient has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce insufficient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- suh
- FISH
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Insufficient 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.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of insufficient
American and British speakers say insufficient in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/ in the US and /ɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-suh-FISH-unt.
What does insufficient mean?
- of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement“insufficient funds”
Where does insufficient come from?
From Middle French insufficient, from Latin insufficiens.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with insufficient
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of insufficient.
Questions about saying insufficient
How do you pronounce insufficient?
Say in-suh-FISH-unt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/. In British English it is /ɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in insufficient?
Insufficient has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FISH). Broken into parts: in · suh · FISH · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say insufficient the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/ and the British form is /ɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.