How to pronounce irresponsible
Say it like ir-uh-SPON-suh-bul. Irresponsible has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SPON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce irresponsible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ir
- uh
- SPON
- suh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Irresponsible pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- irGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SPONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of irresponsible
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: ir-ih-SPON-suh-bul.
What does irresponsible mean?
- showing lack of care for consequences“behaved like an irresponsible idiot”“hasty and irresponsible action”
Where does irresponsible come from?
From ir- + responsible.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying irresponsible
How do you pronounce irresponsible?
Say ir-uh-SPON-suh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪrəˈspɑnsəbəl/. In British English it is /ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in irresponsible?
Irresponsible has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SPON). Broken into parts: ir · uh · SPON · suh · bul.
Is irresponsible pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌɪrɪˈspɒnsəbəl/ (ir-ih-SPON-suh-bul).