How to pronounce absinthe
Say it like AB-sinth. Absinthe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce absinthe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AB
- sinth
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Absinthe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ABSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- sinthKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of absinthe
American and British speakers say absinthe in essentially the same way: /ˈæbsɪnθ/ in the US and /ˈæbsɪnθ/ in the UK.
British respelling: AB-sinth.
What does absinthe mean?
- The herb absinthium Artemisia absinthium (grande wormwood); essence of wormwood.
- Bitterness; sorrow.
- A distilled, highly alcoholic, anise-flavored liquor originally made from grande wormwood, anise, and other herbs.
Questions about saying absinthe
How do you pronounce absinthe?
Say AB-sinth. The American pronunciation is /ˈæbsɪnθ/. In British English it is /ˈæbsɪnθ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in absinthe?
Absinthe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AB). Broken into parts: AB · sinth.
Do Americans and Brits say absinthe the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈæbsɪnθ/ and the British form is /ˈæbsɪnθ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.