How to pronounce pestilent
Say it like PES-tuh-lunt. Pestilent 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 pestilent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PES
- tuh
- lunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pestilent 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.
- luntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of pestilent
American and British speakers say pestilent in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛstələnt/ in the US and /ˈpɛstələnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: PES-tuh-lunt.
What does pestilent mean?
- Highly injurious or destructive to life: deadly.
- Annoying.
Where does pestilent come from?
Middle English, from Latin pestilens, from Latin pestis.
Questions about saying pestilent
How do you pronounce pestilent?
Say PES-tuh-lunt. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛstələnt/. In British English it is /ˈpɛstələnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pestilent?
Pestilent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PES). Broken into parts: PES · tuh · lunt.
Do Americans and Brits say pestilent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛstələnt/ and the British form is /ˈpɛstələnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.