How to Pronounce “evidence”

American (US)

/ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/

British (UK)

/ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/

Australian (AU)

/ˈev.ɪ.dəns/

noun — Facts or observations presented in support of an assertion.

Example: There is no demonstrative evidence that anyone was here earlier.

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

Where the stress falls. “evidence” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/ 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. /ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/ 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 "evidence" mean?

evidence (noun): Facts or observations presented in support of an assertion. For example — There is no demonstrative evidence that anyone was here earlier.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "evidence", /ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/, 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 "evidence"?

/ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/ in American English, /ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/ in British English, /ˈev.ɪ.dəns/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "evidence"?

“evidence” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ˈɛv.ɪ.dəns/ 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.