How to pronounce negligent
Say it like NEG-luh-junt. Negligent 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 negligent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NEG
- luh
- junt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Negligent 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.
- juntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of negligent
American and British speakers say negligent in essentially the same way: /ˈnɛɡlədʒənt/ in the US and /ˈnɛɡlədʒənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: NEG-luh-junt.
What does negligent mean?
- Careless or inattentive.“grossly negligent”
- Culpable due to negligence.“prove someone negligent”
Where does negligent come from?
From Middle English necligent, negligent, from Old French negligent, from Latin negligēns.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying negligent
How do you pronounce negligent?
Say NEG-luh-junt. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɛɡlədʒənt/. In British English it is /ˈnɛɡlədʒənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in negligent?
Negligent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NEG). Broken into parts: NEG · luh · junt.
Do Americans and Brits say negligent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈnɛɡlədʒənt/ and the British form is /ˈnɛɡlədʒənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.