How to pronounce slighten
Say it like SLY-tun. Slighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce slighten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SLY
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Slighten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SLYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of slighten
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SLY-tun.
What does slighten mean?
- To make or become slight; make or become less pronounced, less noticeable, or less obvious.
- To slight.
- To level out, smooth, or flatten.“to slighten the sheets out”
Where does slighten come from?
From slight + -en. Related to German schlichten (“to smoothen”).
Words that rhyme with slighten
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of slighten.
Questions about saying slighten
How do you pronounce slighten?
Say SLY-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈslaɪtən/. In British English it is /ˈslaɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in slighten?
Slighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SLY). Broken into parts: SLY · tun.
Is slighten pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈslaɪtən/ (SLY-tun).