How to pronounce reject
Say it like rih-JEKT. Reject has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JEKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reject. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- JEKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reject pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- JEKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of reject
American and British speakers say reject in essentially the same way: /rɪˈdʒɛkt/ in the US and /rɪˈdʒɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-JEKT.
Other ways to say reject
Reject also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- REE-jekt /ˈridʒɛkt/
What does reject mean?
- refuse to accept or acknowledge“I reject the idea of starting a war”“The journal rejected the student's paper”
- refuse to accept“He refused my offer of hospitality”
- deem wrong or inappropriate“I disapprove of her child rearing methods”
- the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality
Where does reject come from?
From Late Middle English rejecten, from Latin reiectus, past participle of reicere (“to throw back”), from re- (“back”) + iacere (“to throw”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with reject
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of reject.
Questions about saying reject
How do you pronounce reject?
Say rih-JEKT. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈdʒɛkt/. In British English it is /rɪˈdʒɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reject?
Reject has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (JEKT). Broken into parts: rih · JEKT.
Do Americans and Brits say reject the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈdʒɛkt/ and the British form is /rɪˈdʒɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.