How to pronounce misbehavior
Say it like mis-bih-HAY-vyer. Misbehavior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce misbehavior. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mis
- bih
- HAY
- vyer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Misbehavior 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.
- HAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- vyerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of misbehavior
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: mis-bih-HAY-vyuh.
What does misbehavior mean?
- Action or conduct that is inappropriate, improper, incorrect, or unexpected.“The teacher did not tolerate misbehavior in his classroom.”
Where does misbehavior come from?
From mis- + behavior.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with misbehavior
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of misbehavior.
Questions about saying misbehavior
How do you pronounce misbehavior?
Say mis-bih-HAY-vyer. The American pronunciation is /ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪvjɚ/. In British English it is /ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪvjə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in misbehavior?
Misbehavior has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HAY). Broken into parts: mis · bih · HAY · vyer.
Is misbehavior pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌmɪsbɪˈheɪvjə/ (mis-bih-HAY-vyuh).