How to pronounce upset
Say it like up-SET. Upset has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce upset. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- up
- SET
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Upset pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- upKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of upset
American and British speakers say upset in essentially the same way: /əpˈsɛt/ in the US and /ʌpˈsɛt/ in the UK.
British respelling: up-SET.
Other ways to say upset
Upset also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- UHP-set /ˈʌpˌsɛt/
What does upset mean?
- disturb the balance or stability of“The hostile talks upset the peaceful relations between the two countries”
- cause to lose one's composure
- move deeply“This book upset me”“A troubling thought”
- afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief“too upset to say anything”“spent many disquieted moments”
- thrown into a state of disarray or confusion“troops fleeing in broken ranks”“a confused mass of papers on the desk”
- used of an unexpected defeat of a team favored to win“the Bills' upset victory over the Houston Oilers”
- an unhappy and worried mental state“there was too much anger and disturbance”“she didn't realize the upset she caused me”
- the act of disturbing the mind or body“his carelessness could have caused an ecological upset”“she was unprepared for this sudden overthrow of their normal way of living”
- a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning“the doctor prescribed some medicine for the disorder”“everyone gets stomach upsets from time to time”
Where does upset come from?
From Middle English upset (“the act of setting up; establishment”), from Middle English upsetten, corresponding to up- + set.
Words that rhyme with upset
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of upset.
Questions about saying upset
How do you pronounce upset?
Say up-SET. The American pronunciation is /əpˈsɛt/. In British English it is /ʌpˈsɛt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in upset?
Upset has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SET). Broken into parts: up · SET.
Do Americans and Brits say upset the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əpˈsɛt/ and the British form is /ʌpˈsɛt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.