How to pronounce responsibility
Say it like ree-spon-suh-BIL-uh-tee. Responsibility has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (BIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce responsibility. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- spon
- suh
- BIL
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Responsibility pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- sponGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of responsibility
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: rih-spon-sih-BIL-ih-tee.
What does responsibility mean?
- the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force“we must instill a sense of duty in our children”“every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty”
- the proper sphere or extent of your activities“it was his province to take care of himself”
- a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct“he holds a position of great responsibility”
Where does responsibility come from?
From responsible + -ity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with responsibility
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of responsibility.
Questions about saying responsibility
How do you pronounce responsibility?
Say ree-spon-suh-BIL-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /riˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti/. In British English it is /rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in responsibility?
Responsibility has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (BIL). Broken into parts: ree · spon · suh · BIL · uh · tee.
Is responsibility pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti/ (rih-spon-sih-BIL-ih-tee).