How to pronounce prevalence
Say it like PREV-uh-luns. Prevalence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prevalence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREV
- uh
- luns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prevalence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prevalence
American and British speakers say prevalence in essentially the same way: /ˈprɛvələns/ in the US and /ˈprɛvələns/ in the UK.
British respelling: PREV-uh-luns.
What does prevalence mean?
- the quality of prevailing generally; being widespread“he was surprised by the prevalence of optimism about the future”
- (epidemiology) the ratio (for a given time period) of the number of occurrences of a disease or event to the number of units at risk in the population
- a superiority in numbers or amount“a preponderance of evidence against the defendant”
Where does prevalence come from?
Borrowed from Middle French prévalence.
Words that rhyme with prevalence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prevalence.
Questions about saying prevalence
How do you pronounce prevalence?
Say PREV-uh-luns. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɛvələns/. In British English it is /ˈprɛvələns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prevalence?
Prevalence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PREV). Broken into parts: PREV · uh · luns.
Do Americans and Brits say prevalence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈprɛvələns/ and the British form is /ˈprɛvələns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.