2 syllables: dis, grace. Stress on grace.
dis-GRAYS
/dɪsˈɡɹeɪs/
disgrace is pronounced dis-GRAYS (/dɪsˈɡɹeɪs/). It has two syllables (dis-grace), with the stress on "grace". Disgrace refers to loss of reputation or shame brought about by a dishonorable action or circumstance. It can describe both the state of being shamed and the act that causes it, often implying social condemnation. The term foregrounds moral judgement and public exposure, rather than mere personal embarrassment.
Disgrace refers to loss of reputation or shame brought about by a dishonorable action or circumstance. It can describe both the state of being shamed and the act that causes it, often implying social condemnation. The term foregrounds moral judgement and public exposure, rather than mere personal embarrassment.
"The politician resigned after the scandal, bringing disgrace on the party."
"She felt a deep sense of disgrace when her mistake was broadcast on the evening news."
"Their cheating proved a disgrace to the school's ethos of integrity."
Pronounce it as /dɪsˈɡreɪs/. The first syllable is lightly stressed and reduces to /dɪs/, sounds like “diss.” The second syllable carries primary stress: /ˈɡreɪs/ sounding like “grace” with a hard g. Tip: end with a clean /s/ rather than a /z/ sound since there’s no voicing after the /s/. Audio reference: consult Cambridge Dictionary or Forvo entry for ‘disgrace’ to hear a native pronunciation.
Two frequent errors are misplacing the stress and softening the /g/ or turning /ɡr/ into /dʒr/. Also, speakers sometimes insert an extra vowel: ‘dis-graace’ with an unnecessary schwa. Correct by keeping /ˈɡreɪs/ as a single cohesive second syllable, ensure a crisp /ɡ/ stop release, and end the word with a clear /s/. Practice: say /dɪs/ quickly, then smoothly glide into /ˈɡreɪs/.
In US, UK, and AU, the main difference lies in vowel quality of /eɪ/ and the presence/absence of rhoticity. All share /dɪs/ initial. US and AU typically have rhotic r-lessness in this word’s pronunciation, while rhotic influence is minimal here since /ɡreɪs/ doesn’t include an /r/ after /ɡ/. UK tends to slightly crisper /ɡ/ with more compact vowel on /reɪ/. Overall, the pronunciation remains /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ across regions, with minor vowel-diphthong nuances.
The challenge sits in the two-consonant blend /ˈɡreɪs/ following a light /dɪs/. Keeping the /d/ and /ɡ/ distinct without letting the tongue “smear” into the /r/ or glide into a /z/ is key. The /ɪ/ in the first syllable is short, which can collide with the ease of saying /d/; maintaining a quick release into /ˈɡreɪs/ helps. Focus on the crisp /ɡ/ onset and the /eɪ/ diphthong, finishing with a clean /s/.
In rapid speech, listeners may hear /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ as /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ with a reduced first syllable and less distinct /s/. You should maintain the syllable boundary and stress to ensure intelligibility: keep /dɪs/ compact yet distinct, then release into /ˈɡreɪs/ with a crisp /s/ end. Practice linking: “dis-graceful” is separate; ensure you don’t connect the /s/ of disgrace to a following word in ways that create ambiguity.
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Disgrace comes from Middle English disgracen, formed from the prefix dis- (expressing the opposite or removal) + grac(e) from Old French desgracier, ultimately tied to Latin gracilis ‘slender’ in the root meaning of to bring dishonor or make ashamed, but through semantic shifts it acquired the modern meaning centered on social condemnation. The earliest English usage appears in the 14th century, where disgraceden (to deprive of grace) and especially disgracer (one who brings disgrace) appear in moral and social contexts. The word evolved from literally associating disgrace with spiritual or social ‘grace’ toward punishment and shame, over time converting into a general negative evaluation of conduct. By the 16th–17th centuries, disgrace referred broadly to public dishonor and the state of being shamed, extending to personal attributes and deeds rather than just religious transgression. In common usage today, disgrace is primarily a noun (the state of being in dishonor) and a verb (to bring shame on). The word’s trajectory reflects Western moral and social standards emphasizing reputation, accountability, and the social sanction that follows dishonorable acts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "disgrace" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "disgrace"
-ase sounds
-ace sounds
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