How to Pronounce “dubious”

American (US)

/ˈdu.bi.əs/

British (UK)

/ˈd͡ʒuː.bi.əs/

adjective — Arousing doubt; questionable; open to suspicion.

Example: After he made some dubious claims about the company, fewer people trusted him.

Where the stress falls. “dubious” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdu.bi.əs/ 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. /ˈdu.bi.əs/ 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 "dubious" mean?

dubious (adjective): Arousing doubt; questionable; open to suspicion. For example — After he made some dubious claims about the company, fewer people trusted him.

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

American English: /ˈdu.bi.əs/. British English: /ˈd͡ʒuː.bi.əs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "dubious"?

/ˈdu.bi.əs/ in American English, /ˈd͡ʒuː.bi.əs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "dubious"?

“dubious” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈdu.bi.əs/ 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.