How to pronounce surfeit
Say it like SUR-fit. Surfeit has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce surfeit. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUR
- fit
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Surfeit pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- fitKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of surfeit
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-fit.
What does surfeit mean?
- To fill (something) to excess.
- To feed (someone) to excess (on, upon or with something).“She surfeited her children on sweets.”
- To make (someone) sick as a result of overconsumption.
- An excessive amount of something.“A surfeit of wheat is driving down the price.”
- Overindulgence in either food or drink; overeating.
- A sickness or condition caused by overindulgence.“King Henry I is said to have died of a surfeit of lampreys.”
Where does surfeit come from?
From Middle English surfeite, surfet, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman surfet, surfeit and Old French sorfet, sorfait, past participle of surfaire (“to augment, exaggerate, exceed”), from sur- (“over”) + faire (“to do”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying surfeit
How do you pronounce surfeit?
Say SUR-fit. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝfɪt/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːfɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in surfeit?
Surfeit has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · fit.
Is surfeit 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 /ˈsɜːfɪt/ (SUR-fit).