2 syllables: De, fy. Stress on fy.
dif-EYE
/dɪˈfaɪ/
Defy is pronounced dif-EYE (/dɪˈfaɪ/). It has two syllables (De-fy), with the stress on "fy". Defy is a verb meaning to openly resist or refuse to obey, or to challenge the power or authority of someone or something. It can also mean to be different from what is expected or to challenge beliefs or norms. The sense often implies boldness, opposition, or incongruity, sometimes with the nuance of provoking a reaction. Pronounced with two syllables, it emphasizes the first syllable.
verbDefy is a verb meaning to openly resist or refuse to obey, or to challenge the power or authority of someone or something. It can also mean to be different from what is expected or to challenge beliefs or norms. The sense often implies boldness, opposition, or incongruity, sometimes with the nuance of provoking a reaction. Pronounced with two syllables, it emphasizes the first syllable.
"She chose to defy the unwritten rules of the club and spoke her mind."
"The rebels vowed to defy the authorities and march anyway."
"Her achievements defy easy categorization, blending science and art."
Defy is pronounced with two syllables: de- (unstressed) and fy (stressed). IPA: US/UK/AU dɪˈfaɪ. The key is the long I sound in the second syllable and a clear /f/ onset after a short, almost unstressed first syllable. Try saying “dih-FY” with emphasis on FY. Audio reference: common dictionary pronunciations reflect dɪˈfaɪ across major dialects.
Common errors: 1) Slurring to a single syllable (defy → difi). 2) Using a short /aɪ/ or a muted /ɪ/ in the second syllable (mispronouncing as de-FEE). Correction: hold the /aɪ/ diphthong clearly in the second syllable and stress it (dih-FY). 3) Misplacing stress (de-FY incorrectly sounding like DEF-y). Ensure primary stress on the second syllable: de-FY.
Across US/UK/AU, the word maintains dɪˈfaɪ, but vowel quality can shift slightly: US tends toward a palatalized /aɪ/ with a clear /f/. UK often has crisper tints and sharper vowel length differences in some speakers; AU can show a marginally looser jaw, with data showing slight centralization varieties. The primary stress on the second syllable remains consistent. Overall, the core phonemes /d/ /ɪ/ /f/ /aɪ/ stay stable, with minor vowel shifts by accent.
Defy challenges non-native speakers due to the /ɪ/ before the /f/ and the /aɪ/ diphthong in the second syllable. The transition from a short vowel to a high front diphthong in /ɪˈfaɪ/ requires precise tongue height and lip rounding. Rapid speech can blur the second syllable, and the /f/ can morph toward an aspirated /ɸ/ in some dialects. Practicing the glide in /aɪ/ helps. IPA cues: dɪˈfaɪ with primary stress on the second syllable.
A unique aspect is the crisp contrast between the short initial /dɪ/ onset and the elongated, high-front vowel quality in /aɪ/ of the second syllable. The /f/ is a labiodental fricative that requires gentle upper teeth touching the bottom lip. A useful cue is to imagine saying 'die' while ending with a light /f/ release, so the syllable boundary is clear: dɪ-FY.
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Defy comes from Middle English defien, from Old French defier, from Latin diffīdere, meaning to mistrust or lack confidence. The modern sense of challenge or resist emerged in the 14th-15th centuries as defy took on the nuance of standing against authority or expectations. The root ‘fide’ relates to trust in Latin, and the prefix de- in this context implies removal or opposition (to untrust, to oppose). Over time, defy broadened to include defying norms, expectations, and natural outcomes, not just persons or laws. In early usage, defier carried a more direct, combative sense, sometimes tied to defiance against a ruler or church edict. By the 17th-18th centuries, the word also appeared in poetic and rhetorical registers to convey bold nonconformity, often paired with phrases denoting audacity and rebellion. Today, defy remains a strong verb in formal and informal contexts, frequently appearing in political, cultural, and personal narratives to signal resistance, contradiction, or surprise.”,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Defy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Defy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Defy"
-ify sounds
-fy? sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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