How to Pronounce “diarrhea”

American (US)

/ˌdaɪəˈriə/

British (UK)

/ˌdaɪəˈriːə/

noun — A gastrointestinal disorder characterized by frequent and very soft or watery bowel movements.

Where the stress falls. “diarrhea” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌdaɪəˈriə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌdaɪəˈriə/ 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 "diarrhea" mean?

diarrhea (noun): A gastrointestinal disorder characterized by frequent and very soft or watery bowel movements.

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

American English: /ˌdaɪəˈriə/. British English: /ˌdaɪəˈriːə/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "diarrhea"?

/ˌdaɪəˈriə/ in American English, /ˌdaɪəˈriːə/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "diarrhea"?

“diarrhea” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌdaɪəˈriə/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.