5 syllables: In, di, vi, si, ble. Stress on vi.
in-div-IS-ib-uhl
/ˌɪndɪˈvɪsɪbəl/
Indivisible is pronounced in-div-IS-ib-uhl (/ˌɪndɪˈvɪsɪbəl/). It has five syllables (In-di-vi-si-ble), with the stress on "vi". Indivisible is an adjective describing something that cannot be divided or split into parts. It conveys unity or wholeness, often in contexts of politics or mathematics. The term emphasizes inseparability and a fixed, cohesive state, and it appears in formal, rhetorical, and legal language.
adjectiveIndivisible is an adjective describing something that cannot be divided or split into parts. It conveys unity or wholeness, often in contexts of politics or mathematics. The term emphasizes inseparability and a fixed, cohesive state, and it appears in formal, rhetorical, and legal language.
How to Pronounce Indivisible
"The nation remains indivisible despite the diverse regions and voices within it."
"In math, the concept of a prime number is indivisible by any number other than itself and one."
"The team argued that their goal was indivisible from their core values."
You pronounce it as in-di-VIZ-uh-buhl, with primary stress on the third syllable 'VIZ'. IPA (US/UK/AU): ɪn.dɪˈvɪ.zə.bəl. Start with a short 'in' (ɪn), then a light 'di' (dɪ). The main vowel is in 'vi' (ˈvɪ), followed by a schwa in 'zə', and finish with 'ble' as a light 'bəl'. Keep the 'b' sound clear and let the final syllable be relaxed. For audio reference, you can check standard dictionaries or pronunciation resources like Pronounce or Forvo.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (putting primary stress on 'di-' or 'ble'), mispronouncing the 'vi' as 'vee' (you want 'vɪ'), and softening the final consonant to 'bəl' vs 'bul'. Another frequent error is running 'in-di-vi-si-ble' with extra vowels; keep it to five syllables and the correct sequence. Pay attention to the 'z' sound in the middle; avoid turning it into a soft 's'. Practice by saying the word slowly, then naturally with the correct rhythm.
US tends to have rhotic 'r' in some related phrases, but 'Indivisible' itself is non-rhotic in general American speech? Actually US pronunciation: ɪn.dɪˈvɪ.zə.bəl with r-less vowel sequences; UK and AU maintain similar rhythm but with slight vowel quality differences: UK uses a sharper 'ɪ' in 'vɪ', AU can be a bit more centralized vowels and a lighter final syllable. The main stress remains on the 'vi' syllable across accents. The 'z' in the middle remains voiced. Overall, the difference is small but notable in vowel quality and vowel length in unstressed syllables.
The difficulty lies in three areas: the sequence of three unstressed syllables after the stressed 'vi' can blur in fast speech, leading to reduced vowels (ə) that blur into 'zə' or 'sə'; the presence of the 'v' followed by 'z' can create a perceptual edge, and the final '-ble' ends with a light 'əl' rather than a full 'ble'. Also, non-native speakers often misplace the primary stress or turn the 'z' into a 's' sound. Slow, precise articulation helps, then gradual speed builds natural cadence.
A common unique question is whether the 'i' after 'n' in 'Indivisible' sounds like 'in-di-vi-si-ble' or 'in-di-vi-z-ə-ble' – the correct form uses a short 'i' in the first two syllables ('ɪn.dɪ'), and the 'vi' is a stressed 'ˈvɪ', followed by a voiced 'z' and a reduced final '-ə.bəl' in many dialects. Visualize the flow: in - di - VIS - i - ble, with primary stress on VIS. IPA: ɪn.dɪˈvɪ.zə.bəl.
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Indivisible originated in the late 16th century from the Latin indivisibilis, formed by in- (not) + divisibilis (divisible), from dividere (to divide). The root divis- appears in many words like divide, division, and divisible. The first part of the word is the classical prefix in- meaning not, attached to divisibil- from divis- (to divide). The suffix -ble indicates capability, resulting in “not able to be divided.” Over time, the word broadened from mathematical and literal meaning to include social, political, and philosophical senses of cohesion and unity. In political rhetoric, indivisible became a term to stress unity and cohesion, often used in treaties or national declarations to signal that certain aspects cannot be separated without losing essential essence. In everyday usage, it retains its sense of something that cannot be split, whether describing a compound concept, a system, or a shared identity. The word appears in English texts by the late 16th century and has since become a staple in formal discourse, especially in contexts underscoring unity and integrity.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Indivisible" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Indivisible" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Indivisible"
-ble sounds
-ire sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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