Pronunciation of "default"

When it's a noun or verb the stress comes on the second syllable, when it's an adjective it comes on the first.
(See www.howjsay.com)

Hmm. As an American, I'd say DEE-fault for the noun.

It de-FAULTS to the DEE-fault.

I always say "dih-fault". I hope that's not weeeeird.

AnnvanWhen it's a noun or verb the stress comes on the second syllable, when it's an adjective it comes on the first. (See www.howjsay.com)

Thanks. I have also checked howjsay.com but it sounds weird to me that ONLY the adjective has a different pronunciation. Many words have different pronunciations when used as a noun and when used as a verb. However, I

Grammar GeekHmm. As an American, I'd say DEE-fault for the noun.

It de-FAULTS to the DEE-fault.

Thanks GG for the confirmation. I often heard this from Americans in webcast or presentations related to IT. But I don't know how the British would say this word.

KooyeenI always say "dih-fault". I hope that's not weeeeird.

[d?'f?:lt] is the only pronunciation Webster's and Collins dictionaries offer.

CB

Thanks Kooyeen and CB.

I've checked all the dictionaries I can access and they don't agree with each other on the pronunciation of this word.

1. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
2. Cambridge Advanced Learner's (online)
3. American Heritage (online)
4. Oxford English Dictionary
They all give only one pronunciation /d?'f?:lt/

Merriam-

PterIsn't this confusing? That's why I asked this question here in this forum. I am wondering how much I should trust the pronunciations given by the dictionaries.

Hi Pter

English often is confusing.

Thank you very much CB. I check the pronunciations from dictionaries quite often because as a learner of English as a second language, I can't really notice the subtle differences just by listening. For example, I always pronounce congress as con-gress and never notice that the pronunciation of the "n" is actually that of "ng" until I read CJ's posting at


That's why I have to rel