How to pronounce stillborn
Say it like STIL-born. Stillborn has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stillborn. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STIL
- born
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stillborn pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- bornGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of stillborn
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STIL-bawn.
What does stillborn mean?
- Dead at birth.
- Ignored, without influence, or unsuccessful from the outset; abortive.
- A baby that is born dead.
Where does stillborn come from?
From English still + born.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying stillborn
How do you pronounce stillborn?
Say STIL-born. The American pronunciation is /ˈstɪlˌbɔrn/. In British English it is /ˈstɪlˌbɔːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stillborn?
Stillborn has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STIL). Broken into parts: STIL · born.
Is stillborn pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈstɪlˌbɔːn/ (STIL-bawn).