How to pronounce misbehave
Say it like mis-buh-HAYV. Misbehave has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HAYV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce misbehave. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mis
- buh
- HAYV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Misbehave 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.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- HAYVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of misbehave
American and British speakers say misbehave in essentially the same way: /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪv/ in the US and /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪv/ in the UK.
British respelling: mis-buh-HAYV.
What does misbehave mean?
- To act or behave in an inappropriate, improper, incorrect, or unexpected manner.“He doesn't mean to misbehave; he just doesn't know better.”
Where does misbehave come from?
From Middle English misbehaven, equivalent to mis- + behave.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with misbehave
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of misbehave.
Questions about saying misbehave
How do you pronounce misbehave?
Say mis-buh-HAYV. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪv/. In British English it is /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in misbehave?
Misbehave has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HAYV). Broken into parts: mis · buh · HAYV.
Do Americans and Brits say misbehave the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪv/ and the British form is /ˌmɪsbəˈheɪv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.