Skip to content

How to Pronounce “inhibit”

Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.

▶ Hear it pronounced
American (US)
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/
British (UK)
/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/

verb — To hold in or hold back; to keep in check; restrain.

Example: inhibit someone's freedom.

Where the stress falls. “inhibit” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ 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 "inhibit" mean?

inhibit (verb): To hold in or hold back; to keep in check; restrain. For example — inhibit someone's freedom.

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

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "inhibit", /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/, 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 "inhibit"?

/ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ in American English, /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "inhibit"?

“inhibit” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/ 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.

Browse the full word index or use the pronunciation tool.