How to pronounce kidnap
Say it like KID-nap. Kidnap has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KID).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce kidnap. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KID
- nap
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Kidnap pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KIDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- napGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of kidnap
American and British speakers say kidnap in essentially the same way: /ˈkɪdˌnæp/ in the US and /ˈkɪdˌnæp/ in the UK.
British respelling: KID-nap.
What does kidnap mean?
- To seize or detain a person unlawfully and move or conceal them; sometimes for ransom.
- The crime, or an instance, of kidnapping.
Where does kidnap come from?
From kid + nap (“to nab; to grab”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying kidnap
How do you pronounce kidnap?
Say KID-nap. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɪdˌnæp/. In British English it is /ˈkɪdˌnæp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in kidnap?
Kidnap has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KID). Broken into parts: KID · nap.
Do Americans and Brits say kidnap the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkɪdˌnæp/ and the British form is /ˈkɪdˌnæp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.