3 syllables: bil, i, ty. Stress on bil.
BIL-it-ee
/ˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
bility is pronounced BIL-it-ee (/ˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/). It has three syllables (bil-i-ty), with the stress on "bil". Bility is a bound morpheme typically appearing in English as the suffix in words like 'ability' or 'probability.' It denotes a state, quality, or capacity, and is not usually used as a standalone word. In pronunciation, it behaves as a suffix, with the preceding stem affecting stress and vowel quality.
Bility is a bound morpheme typically appearing in English as the suffix in words like 'ability' or 'probability.' It denotes a state, quality, or capacity, and is not usually used as a standalone word. In pronunciation, it behaves as a suffix, with the preceding stem affecting stress and vowel quality.
- Misplacing stress: Treat the -ability suffix as a separate, non-stressed unit; ensure the stem carries the main stress (e.g., a-BIL-i-ty). - Dropping the /l/ or slurring the /t/: Keep /l/ clearly released before the /t/, then a crisp /i/ in final -ty. - Vowel quality drift: Expect a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable; avoid prolonging to /iː/ unless context dictates. - Tongue posture: Avoid letting the tongue flatten between /l/ and /t/; maintain a brief lift for the /t/ release.
"Her ability to solve complex problems impressed the panel."
"We doubted the reliability and debated its probability."
"The new policy increased the stability of the system."
Typically as -bility in stems that end with a consonant cluster before the suffix: [ˈbɪl.ɪ.ti] for many common words, with the pitch rising on the -bɪl- syllable. The first syllable carries the primary stress in many derived nouns (a-BIL-i-ty). When attached to longer stems like 'responsibility,' the stress shifts to the part before -ability: [rɪˌspɒn.sɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti]. Keep the /b/ fully released, the /l/ clear, and the /t/ crisp before the final /i/. Audio: refer to pronunciation resources for the specific word context.
Common mistakes include softening the /b/ to /β/ or skipping the /l/ in the middle (e.g., 'bi-ty'), and misplacing stress by assuming the suffix carries the main stress. To correct: pronounce the middle /l/ clearly after the /b/; keep the /t/ crisp before the final /i/; and practice the two-beat rhythm a-BIL-i-ty, not a-BI-li-ty. Listen for a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable rather than a long /iː/ in rapid speech.
In US English, you’ll hear a clear /ɪ/ in the second syllable and a more rhotic, forward intonation. UK English tends to have slightly more centralized vowels around /ɪ/ and a shorter final -ty vowel in non-rhotic contexts; Australian English often features a slightly broader vowel quality in the second syllable and a more clipped final -ti. Overall, the core /bɪl/ segment remains stable across accents, with minor vowel shifts in the final -ity sequence.
The difficulty lies in the rapid, unstressed -ility sequence after the stressed stem, where the vowels reduce and the /l/ and /t/ must be clearly distinguished in a fast speech pattern. The transition from /l/ to /t/ before a high front vowel /i/ can cause slurring if the tongue doesn’t rebound quickly. Also, some speakers coalesce the /l/ and /t/ into a single alveolar stop, which weakens clarity. Mastery requires precise tongue engagement and controlled air flow.
In rapid connected speech, the -bility suffix may be compressed slightly as /ˈbɪlɪti/ becoming tighter per syllable, yet you should avoid dropping a syllable entirely. The intent is to keep the second syllable /l/ and the final /ti/ audible, ensuring the derived noun remains recognizable. If the rate is very fast, you might hear a subtle reduction like /ˈbɪli.ti/ where the middle /l/ remains present but the vowels blur a touch. IPA guidance helps track the subtle changes.
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- US: maintain rhotic clarity; keep the second syllable /l/ with a lighter jaw height and a slightly tensed tongue tip to release /t/ cleanly. IPA: /ˈbɪlɪti/. - UK: a bit more clipped final vowel; the /r/ is not pronounced; focus on crisp /t/ and parity of /ɪ/. IPA: /ˈbɪlɪtɪ/. - AU: broader vowel in the second syllable and a quick final /i/; avoid overemphasizing the final /i/. IPA: /ˈbɪlɪt.i/.
The sequence -bility derives from Latin -bilitas, from the verb ‘to be able’ (potēre) combined with the suffix -bilis meaning capable of. In Latin, -bilis formed adjectives indicating ability or suitability, which were borrowed into Old French as -bilité and later into Middle English as -bilite/ -bilite. In English, the modern suffix -ability emerged in the Middle English period through reanalysis of -abil- plus -ity, following the pattern of other abstract nouns such as responsibility and possibility. The root often encodes a notion of capability (able, able to do). First known uses trace to Late Middle English and Early Modern English texts, where compounding with Latin roots became common in scientific and philosophical vocabulary. Over time, -bility morphemes attached to stems ending in a consonant or vowel, influencing syllable count and stress patterns in larger words such as ‘ibility’ vs ‘ability.’ The suffix remains productive in English, allowing expressive derivation of nouns that denote state or capacity, and it participates in various linguistic processes including stress shifting in words like 'ability' (a-BIL-i-ty) versus 'probability' (prob-a-BIL-i-ty).
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "bility" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "bility"
-ity sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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