How to Pronounce “compliant”

American (US)

/kəmˈplaɪənt/

British (UK)

/kəmˈplʌɪənt/

adjective — Willing to comply; submissive; willing to do what someone wants.

Example: The suspect was compliant when arrested.

Where the stress falls. “compliant” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kəmˈplaɪənt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /kəmˈplaɪənt/ 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 "compliant" mean?

compliant (adjective): Willing to comply; submissive; willing to do what someone wants. For example — The suspect was compliant when arrested.

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

American English: /kəmˈplaɪənt/. British English: /kəmˈplʌɪənt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "compliant"?

/kəmˈplaɪənt/ in American English, /kəmˈplʌɪənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "compliant"?

“compliant” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /kəmˈplaɪənt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.