How to pronounce powerlessness
Say it like POW-er-luh-snus. Powerlessness has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce powerlessness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- POW
- er
- luh
- snus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Powerlessness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- snusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of powerlessness
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: POW-uh-luh-snus.
What does powerlessness mean?
- The state or character of being powerless; absence or lack of power.
Where does powerlessness come from?
From powerless + -ness.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying powerlessness
How do you pronounce powerlessness?
Say POW-er-luh-snus. The American pronunciation is /ˈpaʊɚləsnəs/. In British English it is /ˈpaʊələsnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in powerlessness?
Powerlessness has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POW). Broken into parts: POW · er · luh · snus.
Is powerlessness 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 /ˈpaʊələsnəs/ (POW-uh-luh-snus).