How to pronounce subservient
Say it like sub-SUR-vee-unt. Subservient has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce subservient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sub
- SUR
- vee
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Subservient pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- subKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- veeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of subservient
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sub-SUR-vee-unt.
What does subservient mean?
- Useful in an inferior capacity.
- Obsequiously submissive.
- A person who is subservient to another; a subordinate.
Where does subservient come from?
From Latin subserviens, present active of subservio (“to serve under”).
Questions about saying subservient
How do you pronounce subservient?
Say sub-SUR-vee-unt. The American pronunciation is /səbˈsɝviənt/. In British English it is /səbˈsɜːviənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in subservient?
Subservient has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SUR). Broken into parts: sub · SUR · vee · unt.
Is subservient 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 /səbˈsɜːviənt/ (sub-SUR-vee-unt).