How to Pronounce “balance”

American (US)

/ˈbæləns/

British (UK)

/ˈbæləns/

noun — A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˈbæləns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “balance” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “balance” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈbæləns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈbæləns/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "balance" mean?

balance (noun): A state in which opposing forces harmonise; equilibrium.

How do you pronounce "balance" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "balance", /ˈbæləns/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "balance"?

/ˈbæləns/ in American English, /ˈbæləns/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "balance"?

“balance” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈbæləns/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.