How to pronounce nonchalant
Say it like nahn-shuh-LAHNT. Nonchalant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAHNT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nonchalant. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- nahn
- shuh
- LAHNT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nonchalant pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- nahnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- shuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAHNTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of nonchalant
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: NON-shuh-lunt.
What does nonchalant mean?
- Casually calm and relaxed.“We handled the whole frenetic situation with a nonchalant attitude.”
- Indifferent; unconcerned; behaving as if detached.“He is far too nonchalant about such a serious matter.”
Where does nonchalant come from?
Borrowed from French nonchalant, from Old French nonchaloir (“to be unconcerned”), from non- (“not”) + chaloir (“to have concern for”), from Latin non (“not”) + calēre (“to be warm”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with nonchalant
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of nonchalant.
Questions about saying nonchalant
How do you pronounce nonchalant?
Say nahn-shuh-LAHNT. The American pronunciation is /ˌnɑnʃəˈlɑnt/. In British English it is /ˈnɒnʃələnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nonchalant?
Nonchalant has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAHNT). Broken into parts: nahn · shuh · LAHNT.
Is nonchalant pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 3, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈnɒnʃələnt/ (NON-shuh-lunt).