How to pronounce perfidy
Say it like PUR-fih-dee. Perfidy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce perfidy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- fih
- dee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Perfidy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- fihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of perfidy
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-fih-dee.
What does perfidy mean?
- A state or act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust.
- An illegitimate act of deception, such as using symbols like the Red Cross or white flag in a false claim of surrender to gain proximity to an enemy for purposes of attack.
- A state or act of deceit.
Where does perfidy come from?
From Middle French perfidie, from Latin perfidia from perfidus (“faithless, treacherous, false”), from fides (“faith”); related to, for example, English fidelity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying perfidy
How do you pronounce perfidy?
Say PUR-fih-dee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝfɪdi/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːfɪdi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in perfidy?
Perfidy has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · fih · dee.
Is perfidy 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 /ˈpɜːfɪdi/ (PUR-fih-dee).