How to pronounce offbeat
Say it like AWF-BEET. Offbeat has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AWF).
- AWF
- BEET
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Offbeat pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AWFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- BEETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of offbeat
American and British speakers say offbeat in essentially the same way: /ˈɔfˈbit/ in the US and /ˈɒfbiːt/ in the UK.
British respelling: OF-beet.
What does offbeat mean?
- The beats not normally accented in a measure.“The congregation clapped along on the offbeat.”
- An unconventional person, someone who does not follow the beat, who chooses not to conform.
- Unusual; unconventional; not ordinary.“He has such an offbeat sense of humor that hardly anyone finds his jokes amusing.”
Where does offbeat come from?
From off- + beat; not following the beat (e.g., of a drum that sounds out cadence).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with offbeat
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of offbeat.
Questions about saying offbeat
How do you pronounce offbeat?
Say AWF-BEET. The American pronunciation is /ˈɔfˈbit/. In British English it is /ˈɒfbiːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in offbeat?
Offbeat has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AWF). Broken into parts: AWF · BEET.
Do Americans and Brits say offbeat the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɔfˈbit/ and the British form is /ˈɒfbiːt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.