How to Pronounce “expedient”

American (US)

/ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/

British (UK)

/ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/

adjective — Suitable to effect some desired end or the purpose intended.

Example: Most people, faced with a decision, will choose the most expedient option.

Where the stress falls. “expedient” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/ 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. /ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/ 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 "expedient" mean?

expedient (adjective): Suitable to effect some desired end or the purpose intended. For example — Most people, faced with a decision, will choose the most expedient option.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "expedient", /ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/, 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 "expedient"?

/ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/ in American English, /ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "expedient"?

“expedient” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/ 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.