How to pronounce negligence
Say it like NEG-luh-juns. Negligence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce negligence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NEG
- luh
- juns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Negligence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NEGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- junsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of negligence
American and British speakers say negligence in essentially the same way: /ˈnɛɡlədʒəns/ in the US and /ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: NEG-lih-juns.
What does negligence mean?
- failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
- the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern
Where does negligence come from?
From Middle English necligence, negligence, from Old French negligence, from Latin neglegentia.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying negligence
How do you pronounce negligence?
Say NEG-luh-juns. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɛɡlədʒəns/. In British English it is /ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in negligence?
Negligence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEG). Broken into parts: NEG · luh · juns.
Do Americans and Brits say negligence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnɛɡlədʒəns/ and the British form is /ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.