How to Pronounce “vulnerability”

American (US)

/ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/

British (UK)

/ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/

Australian (AU)

/ˌvɐln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/

noun — The state of being vulnerable; susceptibility to attack or injury, either physical or emotional; the state or condition of being weak or poorly defended.

Example: The country recognized their defence vulnerability after an airplane landed in front of the central square without any consequences.

Where the stress falls. “vulnerability” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ 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 "vulnerability" mean?

vulnerability (noun): The state of being vulnerable; susceptibility to attack or injury, either physical or emotional; the state or condition of being weak or poorly defended. For example — The country recognized their defence vulnerability after an airplane landed in front of the central square without any consequences.

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

American English: /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/. British English: /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "vulnerability"?

/ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ in American English, /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪlɪti/ in British English, /ˌvɐln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ in Australian English.

Which syllable is stressed in "vulnerability"?

“vulnerability” has 6 syllables, and the transcription /ˌvʌln(ə)ɹəˈbɪləti/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the fourth one — so the fourth syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.