How to pronounce stiffness
Say it like STIF-nus. Stiffness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STIF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stiffness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STIF
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stiffness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STIFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of stiffness
American and British speakers say stiffness in essentially the same way: /ˈstɪfnəs/ in the US and /ˈstɪfnəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: STIF-nus.
What does stiffness mean?
- Rigidity or a measure of rigidity.
- Inflexibility or a measure of inflexibility.
- Inelegance; a lack of relaxedness.“His stiffness hampered the conversation.”
Where does stiffness come from?
From Middle English stiffenes, styffenesse, styfnesse; equivalent to stiff + -ness.
Questions about saying stiffness
How do you pronounce stiffness?
Say STIF-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɪfnəs/. In British English it is /ˈstɪfnəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stiffness?
Stiffness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STIF). Broken into parts: STIF · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say stiffness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈstɪfnəs/ and the British form is /ˈstɪfnəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.