How to pronounce servitude
Say it like SUR-vuh-tood. Servitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce servitude. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- vuh
- tood
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Servitude pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- toodGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of servitude
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-vih-chood.
What does servitude mean?
- The state of being a slave; slavery; being forced to work for others or do their bidding without one's consent or against one's will, either in perpetuity or for a period of time over which one has little or no control.
- A qualified beneficial interest severed or fragmented from the ownership of an inferior property and attached to a superior property or to some person other than the owner; the most common form is an easement.
- Service rendered in the army or navy.
Where does servitude come from?
From Middle French servitude, from Latin servitūdō, from Latin servus (“slave”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying servitude
How do you pronounce servitude?
Say SUR-vuh-tood. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝvəˌtud/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːvɪtʃuːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in servitude?
Servitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · vuh · tood.
Is servitude pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsɜːvɪtʃuːd/ (SUR-vih-chood).