How to Pronounce “habit”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ˈhæb.ɪt/
- British (UK)
- /ˈhæb.ɪt/
What “habit” means
noun — An action performed on a regular basis.
Example: It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “habit” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈhæb.ɪt/ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "habit" mean?
habit (noun): An action performed on a regular basis. For example — It’s become a habit of mine to have a cup of coffee after dinner.
How do you pronounce "habit" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "habit", /ˈhæb.ɪt/, 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 "habit"?
/ˈhæb.ɪt/ in American English, /ˈhæb.ɪt/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "habit"?
“habit” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈhæb.ɪt/ 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.
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