How to Pronounce “dependence”

British (UK)

/dɪˈpɛndəns/

noun — The state of being dependent, of relying upon another.

Example: He had a deep dependence on her for guidance.

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

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

dependence (noun): The state of being dependent, of relying upon another. For example — He had a deep dependence on her for guidance.

Which syllable is stressed in "dependence"?

“dependence” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /dɪˈpɛndəns/ 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.