How to pronounce prohibit
Say it like proh-HIB-ut. Prohibit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HIB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prohibit. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- proh
- HIB
- ut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prohibit pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- HIBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- utKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prohibit
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: proh-HIB-it.
What does prohibit mean?
- command against“I forbid you to call me late at night”“Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store”
Where does prohibit come from?
From Middle English prohibiten, from Latin prohibeō (“to fend off, prevent, prohibit”) (through past participle prohibitus).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prohibit
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prohibit.
Questions about saying prohibit
How do you pronounce prohibit?
Say proh-HIB-ut. The American pronunciation is /proʊˈhɪbət/. In British English it is /prəʊˈhɪbɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prohibit?
Prohibit has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HIB). Broken into parts: proh · HIB · ut.
Is prohibit pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /prəʊˈhɪbɪt/ (proh-HIB-it).