How to Pronounce “debris”

American (US)

/dəˈbriː/

British (UK)

/ˈdebriː/

Australian (AU)

/dəˈbɹiː/

noun — Scattered fragments left after something has been destroyed.

Example: Debris blocked the road for two days.

Synonyms: wreckage, rubble

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

debris (noun): Scattered fragments left after something has been destroyed. For example — Debris blocked the road for two days.

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

American English: /dəˈbriː/. British English: /ˈdebriː/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "debris"?

/dəˈbriː/ in American English, /ˈdebriː/ in British English, /dəˈbɹiː/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "debris"?

“debris” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /dəˈbriː/ 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.

• Silent S words
• US vs UK stress shifts