How to pronounce responsible
Say it like ree-SPON-suh-bul. Responsible has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce responsible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- SPON
- suh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Responsible 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.
- SPONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of responsible
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: rih-SPON-sih-bul.
What does responsible mean?
- worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable“a responsible adult”“responsible journalism”
- being the agent or cause“determined who was the responsible party”“termites were responsible for the damage”
- having an acceptable credit rating“a responsible borrower”
Where does responsible come from?
From Middle French responsable, from Old French responsable, responsible, formed from the root of Latin responsus, from respondeō, respondēre.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying responsible
How do you pronounce responsible?
Say ree-SPON-suh-bul. The American pronunciation is /riˈspɑnsəbəl/. In British English it is /rɪˈspɒnsɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in responsible?
Responsible has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPON). Broken into parts: ree · SPON · suh · bul.
Is responsible 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 /rɪˈspɒnsɪbəl/ (rih-SPON-sih-bul).