How to pronounce insult
Say it like IN-suhlt. Insult has two 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 insult. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- suhlt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Insult 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.
- suhltGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of insult
American and British speakers say insult in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/ in the US and /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-suhlt.
Other ways to say insult
Insult also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- in-SUHLT /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/
What does insult mean?
- a rude expression intended to offend or hurt“when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse”“they yelled insults at the visiting team”
- treat, mention, or speak to rudely“He insulted her with his rude remarks”“the student who had betrayed his classmate was dissed by everyone”
Where does insult come from?
The noun is derived from Middle French insult (modern French insulte (“insult”)) or its etymon Late Latin insultus (“insult, reviling, scoffing”), from īnsiliō (“to bound; to leap in or upon”); see above.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying insult
How do you pronounce insult?
Say IN-suhlt. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/. In British English it is /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in insult?
Insult has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · suhlt.
Do Americans and Brits say insult the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/ and the British form is /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.