How to pronounce sadness
Say it like SAD-nus. Sadness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sadness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SAD
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sadness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sadness
American and British speakers say sadness in essentially the same way: /ˈsædnəs/ in the US and /ˈsædnɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: SAD-nis.
What does sadness mean?
- emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
- the state of being sad“she tired of his perpetual sadness”
- the quality of excessive mournfulness and uncheerfulness
Where does sadness come from?
From Middle English sadnesse, equivalent to sad + -ness.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with sadness
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sadness.
Questions about saying sadness
How do you pronounce sadness?
Say SAD-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈsædnəs/. In British English it is /ˈsædnɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sadness?
Sadness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SAD). Broken into parts: SAD · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say sadness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈsædnəs/ and the British form is /ˈsædnɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.