How to pronounce spellbound
Say it like SPEL-bownd. Spellbound has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spellbound. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEL
- bownd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spellbound pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- bowndGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
American vs British pronunciation of spellbound
American and British speakers say spellbound in essentially the same way: /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/ in the US and /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPEL-bownd.
What does spellbound mean?
- Under the influence of a magical spell; enchanted, bewitched, or supernaturally constrained.
- Fascinated by something; entranced as if by a spell; captivated.“The story left the children spellbound.”
Where does spellbound come from?
From spell + bound.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying spellbound
How do you pronounce spellbound?
Say SPEL-bownd. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/. In British English it is /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spellbound?
Spellbound has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEL). Broken into parts: SPEL · bownd.
Do Americans and Brits say spellbound the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/ and the British form is /ˈspɛlˌbaʊnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.