How to pronounce maleficence
Say it like muh-LEF-ih-suns. Maleficence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce maleficence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- muh
- LEF
- ih
- suns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Maleficence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LEFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- sunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of maleficence
American and British speakers say maleficence in essentially the same way: /məˈlɛfɪsəns/ in the US and /məˈlɛfɪsəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: muh-LEF-ih-suns.
What does maleficence mean?
- harmfulness or mischief.
Where does maleficence come from?
From Italian maleficenza or Middle French maleficence or directly from Latin maleficentia.
Questions about saying maleficence
How do you pronounce maleficence?
Say muh-LEF-ih-suns. The American pronunciation is /məˈlɛfɪsəns/. In British English it is /məˈlɛfɪsəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in maleficence?
Maleficence has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LEF). Broken into parts: muh · LEF · ih · suns.
Do Americans and Brits say maleficence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /məˈlɛfɪsəns/ and the British form is /məˈlɛfɪsəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.