How to pronounce trespass
Say it like TRES-pas. Trespass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce trespass. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TRES
- pas
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Trespass pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TRESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- pasGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of trespass
American and British speakers say trespass in essentially the same way: /ˈtrɛsˌpæs/ in the US and /ˈtrɛspəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: TRES-pus.
What does trespass mean?
- To go too far; to put someone to inconvenience by demand or importunity; to intrude.“to trespass upon the time or patience of another”
- To enter someone else's property illegally.
- To subject [someone] to a trespass notice, formally notifying them that they are prohibited from entry to a property, such that any current or future presence there will constitute trespass, (especially) criminal trespass“The dean trespassed the streaker from his university.”
- An intentional interference with another's property or person.
Where does trespass come from?
Borrowed into Middle English trespas, from Old French trespas (“passage; offense against the law”), from trespasser.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying trespass
How do you pronounce trespass?
Say TRES-pas. The American pronunciation is /ˈtrɛsˌpæs/. In British English it is /ˈtrɛspəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in trespass?
Trespass has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TRES). Broken into parts: TRES · pas.
Do Americans and Brits say trespass the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtrɛsˌpæs/ and the British form is /ˈtrɛspəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.