3 syllables: drunk, en, ness. Stress on drunk.
/ˈdɹʌŋ.kən.nəs/
Say it backDrunkenness refers to the state of being intoxicated by alcohol, resulting in impaired coordination, judgment, and behavior. It is often characterized by slurred speech, decreased inhibition, and altered motor control. In formal terms, it denotes a temporary condition caused by excessive ethanol consumption. The term encompasses both the onset of intoxication and the peak state of being drunk.
"Her drunkenness led to a shaky walk and trouble staying upright."
"The police cited reckless driving as evidence of his drunkenness."
"There are laws that regulate drunkenness in public spaces."
Pronounce as /ˈdrʌŋ.kən.nəs/ in US and many UK contexts, with the first syllable stressed. Start with a short, rounded
Common errors: misplacing stress (e.g., /ˈdrən.kən.nəs/), confusing /ɜː/ or /ʊ/ vowels, and running the syllables together into /drængənəs/. Correct by: emphasizing the first syllable, using /ʌ/ in the first vowel, keeping /k/ as a hard, separate consonant before the -ən-. Practice slow, then speed up.
US/UK/AU share the /ˈdrʌŋ.kən.nəs/ vs /ˈdrʊŋ.kən.nəs/ variations. US tends to /ʌ/ in the first vowel with rhoticity (the ‘r’ silent here), UK often uses a shorter /ʊ/ or closer to /ʌ/, and AU aligns closely with US patterns but may have slightly flatter intonation. The second syllable /kən/ remains unstressed and reduced.
Three challenges: the dense consonant cluster at the start /dr/ followed by a nasal /ŋ/; precise syllable delimitation between /drʌŋ- kən - nəs/ can blur in rapid speech; and the ending /nəs/ with a reduced schwa-like /ə/ before the s. Tip: practice with three separate blocks, ensuring the /ŋ/ sound is fully voiced before the /k/.
The word contains a double-consonant-like sequence across syllables (/kən.nəs/) where the second consonant is a light /n/ followed by a syllabic /ə/ in rapid speech. The stress sits on the first syllable, and the /dr/ onset requires careful articulation to avoid slurring.”
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The word drunkenness comes from Middle English drunken, from Old English dryncian meaning to drink, and the suffix -ness forming a noun of state. The root drync- is related to drink and intoxication across Germanic languages. The suffix -ness marks a state, condition, or quality. Historical usage appears in medieval England in contexts describing someone under the influence of alcohol, often in legal or moral discourse. Early attestations link drunkenness with moral judgment and social order, and over centuries the term broadened from a specific instance of intoxication to a broader condition. By the 16th–18th centuries, “drunkenness” appeared in religious, legal, and literary texts as a formal noun describing the vice of excessive drinking. In modern usage, it remains common in medical, legal, and everyday language, aligning with terms for other states of impairment. The evolution tracks a shift from moral labeling to clinical and social considerations of intoxication, while retaining its core meaning of alcohol-induced impairment.
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Help others use "drunkenness" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "drunkenness" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "drunkenness" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "drunkenness"
-ess sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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