How to pronounce weakness
Say it like WEEK-nus. Weakness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce weakness. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WEEK
- nus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Weakness pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WEEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- nusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of weakness
American and British speakers say weakness in essentially the same way: /ˈwiknəs/ in the US and /ˈwiːknɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: WEEK-nis.
What does weakness mean?
- a flaw or weak point“he was quick to point out his wife's failings”
- powerlessness revealed by an inability to act“in spite of their weakness the group remains active”
- the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain“his weakness increased as he became older”“the weakness of the span was overlooked until it collapsed”
Where does weakness come from?
From Middle English weyknesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with weakness
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of weakness.
Questions about saying weakness
How do you pronounce weakness?
Say WEEK-nus. The American pronunciation is /ˈwiknəs/. In British English it is /ˈwiːknɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in weakness?
Weakness has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WEEK). Broken into parts: WEEK · nus.
Do Americans and Brits say weakness the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwiknəs/ and the British form is /ˈwiːknɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.