How to Pronounce “independent”

American (US)

/ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/

British (UK)

/ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/

adjective — Not dependent; not contingent or depending on something else; free.

Where the stress falls. “independent” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/ 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. /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/ 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 "independent" mean?

independent (adjective): Not dependent; not contingent or depending on something else; free.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "independent", /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/, 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 "independent"?

/ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/ in American English, /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "independent"?

“independent” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/ 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.