Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

afflict

/əˈflɪkt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.43 in modern English

Syllables
af-flict
IPA
/əˈflɪkt/
15
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress.

Transitive verb

verb

To strike or cast down; to overthrow; to result.

Obsolete

verb

To make low or humble.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English afflicten (attested in past participle afflicte), from Latin afflīctō (“to damage, harass, torment”), from ad- + flīctus, past participle of afflīgō (“strike, beat”), from ad- + flīgō (“strike”) (whence af-).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce afflict?
The recorded pronunciation is /əˈflɪkt/.
What does afflict mean?
To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress.
Where does afflict come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce afflict

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “afflict”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əˈflɪkt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “afflict”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “afflict” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.