How to pronounce speechless
Say it like SPEECH-lus. Speechless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEECH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce speechless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEECH
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Speechless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPEECHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of speechless
American and British speakers say speechless in essentially the same way: /ˈspitʃləs/ in the US and /ˈspiːtʃləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPEECH-lus.
What does speechless mean?
- Not speaking; not knowing what to say; silent, especially due to surprise, amazement, etc.; wordless.“When he walked into his surprise birthday party, he was completely speechless.”
Where does speechless come from?
From Middle English specheles, from Old English sprǣċlēas (“speechless; without the power of speak”), from Proto-Germanic *sprēkalausaz, equivalent to speech + -less.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying speechless
How do you pronounce speechless?
Say SPEECH-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈspitʃləs/. In British English it is /ˈspiːtʃləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in speechless?
Speechless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEECH). Broken into parts: SPEECH · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say speechless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspitʃləs/ and the British form is /ˈspiːtʃləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.