How to Pronounce “indict”

American (US)

/ɪnˈdaɪt/

British (UK)

/ɪnˈdaɪt/

verb — To formally charge someone with a serious crime.

Example: A grand jury voted to indict him.

Synonyms: charge, accuse

The spelling is misleading. “indict” is one of a short list of English words whose spelling and pronunciation drifted apart and never came back together. Do not try to sound it out letter by letter — listen to it and learn it whole.

Where the stress falls. “indict” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈdaɪt/ 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.

What does "indict" mean?

indict (verb): To formally charge someone with a serious crime. For example — A grand jury voted to indict him.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "indict", /ɪnˈdaɪt/, 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 "indict"?

/ɪnˈdaɪt/ in American English, /ɪnˈdaɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "indict"?

“indict” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈdaɪt/ 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.

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