How to pronounce wildebeest
Say it like WIL-duh-beest. Wildebeest has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce wildebeest. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- WIL
- duh
- beest
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Wildebeest pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- WILSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- beestKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of wildebeest
American and British speakers say wildebeest in essentially the same way: /ˈwɪldəbist/ in the US and /ˈwɪldəbiːst/ in the UK.
British respelling: WIL-duh-beest.
What does wildebeest mean?
- The gnu.
Where does wildebeest come from?
Borrowed in the early 19th century from early Afrikaans wildebeest, modern wildebees (literally “wild ox”), with influence from beast.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying wildebeest
How do you pronounce wildebeest?
Say WIL-duh-beest. The American pronunciation is /ˈwɪldəbist/. In British English it is /ˈwɪldəbiːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in wildebeest?
Wildebeest has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (WIL). Broken into parts: WIL · duh · beest.
Do Americans and Brits say wildebeest the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈwɪldəbist/ and the British form is /ˈwɪldəbiːst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.