How to Pronounce “deficit”

American (US)

/ˈdɛfəsɪt/

British (UK)

/ˈdɛfɪsɪt/

noun — Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack.

Example: The crop output this year has been comparatively small, owing to the deficit in rainfall.

Where the stress falls. “deficit” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɛfəsɪt/ 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. /ˈdɛfəsɪt/ 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 "deficit" mean?

deficit (noun): Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack. For example — The crop output this year has been comparatively small, owing to the deficit in rainfall.

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

American English: /ˈdɛfəsɪt/. British English: /ˈdɛfɪsɪt/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "deficit"?

/ˈdɛfəsɪt/ in American English, /ˈdɛfɪsɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "deficit"?

“deficit” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdɛfəsɪt/ 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.