How to pronounce reckless
Say it like REK-lus. Reckless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reckless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REK
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reckless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of reckless
American and British speakers say reckless in essentially the same way: /ˈrɛkləs/ in the US and /ˈrɛkləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: REK-lus.
What does reckless mean?
- marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences“foolhardy enough to try to seize the gun from the hijacker”“became the fiercest and most reckless of partisans”
- characterized by careless unconcern“the heedless generosity and the spasmodic extravagance of persons used to large fortunes”“reckless squandering of public funds”
Where does reckless come from?
From Middle English rekles, reckeles, rekkeles, (also recheles), from Old English rēcelēas (“reckless, careless, negligent”), equivalent to reck + -less.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with reckless
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of reckless.
Questions about saying reckless
How do you pronounce reckless?
Say REK-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛkləs/. In British English it is /ˈrɛkləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reckless?
Reckless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REK). Broken into parts: REK · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say reckless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɛkləs/ and the British form is /ˈrɛkləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.