How to pronounce reluctance
Say it like rih-LUHK-tuns. Reluctance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LUHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reluctance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- LUHK
- tuns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reluctance 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.
- LUHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- tunsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of reluctance
American and British speakers say reluctance in essentially the same way: /rɪˈlʌktəns/ in the US and /rɪˈlʌktəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-LUHK-tuns.
What does reluctance mean?
- Unwillingness to do something.“Our new dog shows reluctance to go on walks, preferring to be indoors.”
- Hesitancy in taking some action.
- That property of a magnetic circuit analogous to resistance in an electric circuit.
Where does reluctance come from?
From reluct + -ance. From Latin relū̆ctor (“to struggle against, oppose, resist”) + -ance, from re- (“back”) + luctor (“to struggle”).
Words that rhyme with reluctance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of reluctance.
Questions about saying reluctance
How do you pronounce reluctance?
Say rih-LUHK-tuns. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈlʌktəns/. In British English it is /rɪˈlʌktəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reluctance?
Reluctance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LUHK). Broken into parts: rih · LUHK · tuns.
Do Americans and Brits say reluctance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈlʌktəns/ and the British form is /rɪˈlʌktəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.