How to pronounce pity
Say it like PIT-ee. Pity has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pity. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PIT
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pity pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PITSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of pity
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: PIT-ee.
What does pity mean?
- a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others“the blind are too often objects of pity”
- an unfortunate development“it's a pity he couldn't do it”
- the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it
- share the suffering of
Where does pity come from?
From Middle English pitye, pitie, pittye, pitee, pite, from Anglo-Norman pité, pittee etc., from Old French pitet, pitié, from Latin pietās.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with pity
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pity.
Questions about saying pity
How do you pronounce pity?
Say PIT-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɪti/. In British English it is /ˈpɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pity?
Pity has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PIT). Broken into parts: PIT · ee.
Is pity pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈpɪti/ (PIT-ee).