How to Pronounce “interference”

American (US)

/ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/

British (UK)

/ˌɪntə(ɹ)ˈfɪəɹəns/

noun — The act of interfering with something, or something that interferes.

The final e is silent. The transcription /ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ ends on a consonant sound, so the written e at the end of “interference” is not pronounced.

Where the stress falls. “interference” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ 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. /ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ 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 "interference" mean?

interference (noun): The act of interfering with something, or something that interferes.

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

American English: /ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/. British English: /ˌɪntə(ɹ)ˈfɪəɹəns/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "interference"?

/ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ in American English, /ˌɪntə(ɹ)ˈfɪəɹəns/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "interference"?

“interference” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ 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.