How to pronounce misbegotten
Say it like mis-bih-GOT-un. Misbegotten has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce misbegotten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mis
- bih
- GOT
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Misbegotten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- misGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- GOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of misbegotten
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: mis-bih-GOT-un.
What does misbegotten mean?
- Born out of wedlock; illegitimate.
- Ill-conceived.
- Bad; worthless.
- past participle of misbeget
- A person born into infelicitous circumstances.
Where does misbegotten come from?
From mis- + begotten.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with misbegotten
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of misbegotten.
Questions about saying misbegotten
How do you pronounce misbegotten?
Say mis-bih-GOT-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɪsbɪˈɡɑtən/. In British English it is /ˌmɪsbɪˈɡɒtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in misbegotten?
Misbegotten has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GOT). Broken into parts: mis · bih · GOT · un.
Is misbegotten 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 /ˌmɪsbɪˈɡɒtən/ (mis-bih-GOT-un).