How to pronounce recklessness
Say it like REK-luh-snus. Recklessness has three 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 recklessness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REK
- luh
- snus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Recklessness 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.
- 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 recklessness
American and British speakers say recklessness in essentially the same way: /ˈrɛkləsnəs/ in the US and /ˈrɛkləsnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: REK-luh-snus.
What does recklessness mean?
- The state or quality of being reckless or heedless, of taking unnecessary risks.“His recklessness repeatedly put him in danger.”
Where does recklessness come from?
From Middle English reklesnes, reklesnesse, rekelesnesse (also assibilated as rechelesnes, reccheleesnesse), from Old English rēcelēasnes (“recklessness, carelessness, negligence”), equivalent to reckless + -ness.
Questions about saying recklessness
How do you pronounce recklessness?
Say REK-luh-snus. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛkləsnəs/. In British English it is /ˈrɛkləsnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in recklessness?
Recklessness has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REK). Broken into parts: REK · luh · snus.
Do Americans and Brits say recklessness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɛkləsnəs/ and the British form is /ˈrɛkləsnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.