How to pronounce standoff
Say it like STAN-dawf. Standoff has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce standoff. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STAN
- dawf
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Standoff pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- dawfGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of standoff
American and British speakers say standoff in essentially the same way: /ˈstænˌdɔf/ in the US and /ˈstændɒf/ in the UK.
British respelling: STAN-dof.
What does standoff mean?
- A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.
- A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists.“I don't want to get involved in the standoff between those two.”
- For use at a distance sufficient from the target to allow defensive fire to be evaded.
Where does standoff come from?
Deverbal from stand off.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying standoff
How do you pronounce standoff?
Say STAN-dawf. The American pronunciation is /ˈstænˌdɔf/. In British English it is /ˈstændɒf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in standoff?
Standoff has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAN). Broken into parts: STAN · dawf.
Do Americans and Brits say standoff the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈstænˌdɔf/ and the British form is /ˈstændɒf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.