How to pronounce tendency
Say it like TEN-dun-see. Tendency has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tendency. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEN
- dun
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tendency pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- dunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of tendency
American and British speakers say tendency in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛndənsi/ in the US and /ˈtɛndənsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: TEN-dun-see.
What does tendency mean?
- an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others“he had an inclination to give up too easily”“a tendency to be too strict”
- an inclination to do something“he felt leanings toward frivolity”
- a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect“the alkaline inclination of the local waters”“fabric with a tendency to shrink”
Where does tendency come from?
From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, present participle of tendō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tendency
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tendency.
Questions about saying tendency
How do you pronounce tendency?
Say TEN-dun-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛndənsi/. In British English it is /ˈtɛndənsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tendency?
Tendency has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEN). Broken into parts: TEN · dun · see.
Do Americans and Brits say tendency the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛndənsi/ and the British form is /ˈtɛndənsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.