How to pronounce slacken
Say it like SLAK-un. Slacken has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce slacken. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SLAK
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Slacken pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SLAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of slacken
American and British speakers say slacken in essentially the same way: /ˈslækən/ in the US and /ˈslækən/ in the UK.
British respelling: SLAK-un.
What does slacken mean?
- To gradually decrease in intensity or tautness; to become slack; to lag.“The pace slackened.”
- To make slack, less taut, or less intense.“slacken the rope”
- To deprive of cohesion by combining chemically with water; to slake.“to slacken lime”
Where does slacken come from?
From Middle English slakenen, equivalent to slack + -en.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with slacken
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of slacken.
Questions about saying slacken
How do you pronounce slacken?
Say SLAK-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈslækən/. In British English it is /ˈslækən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in slacken?
Slacken has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLAK). Broken into parts: SLAK · un.
Do Americans and Brits say slacken the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈslækən/ and the British form is /ˈslækən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.