How to pronounce absorbent
Say it like ab-SOR-bunt. Absorbent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce absorbent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ab
- SOR
- bunt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Absorbent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- abKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- SORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- buntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of absorbent
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ub-SAW-bunt.
What does absorbent mean?
- Anything which absorbs.
- Any substance which absorbs and neutralizes acid fluid in the stomach and bowels, as magnesia, chalk, etc.; also a substance, e.g., iodine, which acts on the absorbent vessels so as to reduce enlarged and indurated parts.
- A liquid used in the process of separating gases or volatile liquids, in oil refining.
- Having the ability or tendency to absorb; able to soak up liquid easily; absorptive.“Those paper towels were amazingly absorbent. That was quite a spill.”
Where does absorbent come from?
By surface analysis, absorb + -ent.
Questions about saying absorbent
How do you pronounce absorbent?
Say ab-SOR-bunt. The American pronunciation is /æbˈsɔrbənt/. In British English it is /əbˈsɔːbənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in absorbent?
Absorbent has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SOR). Broken into parts: ab · SOR · bunt.
Is absorbent pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /əbˈsɔːbənt/ (ub-SAW-bunt).