How to pronounce spendthrift
Say it like SPEND-thrift. Spendthrift has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce spendthrift. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPEND
- thrift
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Spendthrift pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPENDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- thriftGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of spendthrift
American and British speakers say spendthrift in essentially the same way: /ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/ in the US and /ˈspɛndθrɪft/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPEND-thrift.
What does spendthrift mean?
- Someone who spends money improvidently or wastefully.
- Anything that distributes its attributes profusely, without restraint.
- Improvident, profligate, or wasteful.
- Extravagant or lavish.
Where does spendthrift come from?
From spend + thrift (“(archaic) savings; profits; wealth”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying spendthrift
How do you pronounce spendthrift?
Say SPEND-thrift. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/. In British English it is /ˈspɛndθrɪft/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in spendthrift?
Spendthrift has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPEND). Broken into parts: SPEND · thrift.
Do Americans and Brits say spendthrift the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈspɛndˌθrɪft/ and the British form is /ˈspɛndθrɪft/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.