How to pronounce malice
Say it like MAL-us. Malice has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAL).
- MAL
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Malice pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of malice
American and British speakers say malice in essentially the same way: /ˈmæləs/ in the US and /ˈmælɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: MAL-is.
What does malice mean?
- Intention to harm or deprive in an illegal or immoral way. Desire to take pleasure in another's misfortune.“Your voice positively drips malice.”
- An intention to do injury to another party, which in many jurisdictions is a distinguishing factor between the crimes of murder and manslaughter.
- To intend to cause harm; to bear malice.
Where does malice come from?
From Middle English malice, borrowed from Old French malice, from Latin malitia (“badness, bad quality, ill-will, spite”), from malus (“bad”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with malice
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of malice.
Questions about saying malice
How do you pronounce malice?
Say MAL-us. The American pronunciation is /ˈmæləs/. In British English it is /ˈmælɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in malice?
Malice has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAL). Broken into parts: MAL · us.
Do Americans and Brits say malice the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmæləs/ and the British form is /ˈmælɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.