How to Pronounce "development"
The correct pronunciation of "development" is dih-VEL-up-munt /dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "dev-lup-MENT" habit for good.
development
/dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/The process of growth, progress, or creating something new.
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Record yourself saying “development” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "dev-lup-MENT" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying "dev-lup-MENT" with stress on the last syllable, or "DEV-lup-ment" on the first. | dih-VEL-up-munt /dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Second syllable (VEL). |
How Do You Pronounce "development"?
"development" is pronounced dih-VEL-up-munt /dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/. The stress is on the second syllable (VEL). As a noun, it means the process of growth, progress, or creating something new.
Four syllables with the stress on "VEL". Every syllable after it is soft: dih-VEL-up-munt.
Listen for the stressed syllable and copy its rhythm — getting the stress right matters more than any single sound.
Say "development" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
dih-VEL-up-munt — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Second syllable (VEL). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
Four syllables with the stress on "VEL". Every syllable after it is soft: dih-VEL-up-munt.
Blend and repeat
Now say "development" at normal speed: dih-VEL-up-munt. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "development" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
moment → MOH-munt
Hear how -ment relaxes to a soft munt — same in development.
dih-VEL-up → dih-VEL-up-munt
Say the root first, then quietly attach munt — stress stays on VEL.
NOT dev-lup-MENT — dih-VEL-up-munt
Never stress the suffix; VEL keeps the beat.
rapid development — dih-VEL-up-munt
Hold the VEL stress at speed.
Why "development" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Long English words keep the stress of their root verb (develop), but Indian speakers often re-stress the suffix.
Tip: Find the root first (dih-VEL-up), then quietly attach "munt": dih-VEL-up-munt.
Hear “development” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
Software development is a growing field in India.
The development of speaking skills takes daily practice.
This area has seen rapid development.
Words Related to "development"
Now say it inside a sentence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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