How to Pronounce “contrite”

American (US)

/kənˈtɹaɪt/

British (UK)

/kənˈtɹaɪt/

adjective — Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions.

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

Where the stress falls. “contrite” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈtɹaɪt/ 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. /kənˈtɹaɪt/ 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 "contrite" mean?

contrite (adjective): Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "contrite", /kənˈtɹaɪt/, 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 "contrite"?

/kənˈtɹaɪt/ in American English, /kənˈtɹaɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "contrite"?

“contrite” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /kənˈtɹaɪt/ 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.