How to pronounce pestilence
Say it like PES-tuh-lunts. Pestilence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pestilence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PES
- tuh
- lunts
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pestilence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- luntsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pestilence
American and British speakers say pestilence in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛstələnts/ in the US and /ˈpɛstələnts/ in the UK.
British respelling: PES-tuh-lunts.
What does pestilence mean?
- Any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent and devastating.
Where does pestilence come from?
From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pestilentia (“plague”), from pestilens (“infected, unwholesome, noxious”); equivalent to pestilent + -ence.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying pestilence
How do you pronounce pestilence?
Say PES-tuh-lunts. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛstələnts/. In British English it is /ˈpɛstələnts/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pestilence?
Pestilence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PES). Broken into parts: PES · tuh · lunts.
Do Americans and Brits say pestilence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛstələnts/ and the British form is /ˈpɛstələnts/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.