How to Pronounce “deceive”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /dɪˈsiːv/
- British (UK)
- /dɪˈsiːv/
What “deceive” means
verb — To trick or mislead.
Example: It feels painful to begin seeing clearly, that you’ve been deceived by the very people and institutions you trusted to guide you.
Pronunciation Notes
The final e is silent. The transcription /dɪˈsiːv/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “deceive” is not pronounced.
Where the stress falls. “deceive” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /dɪˈsiːv/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "deceive" mean?
deceive (verb): To trick or mislead. For example — It feels painful to begin seeing clearly, that you’ve been deceived by the very people and institutions you trusted to guide you.
How do you pronounce "deceive" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "deceive", /dɪˈsiːv/, 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 "deceive"?
/dɪˈsiːv/ in American English, /dɪˈsiːv/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "deceive"?
“deceive” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /dɪˈsiːv/ 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.
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