How to pronounce altitude
Say it like AL-tuh-tood. Altitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce altitude. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AL
- tuh
- tood
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Altitude pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- toodGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of altitude
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: AL-tih-tyood.
What does altitude mean?
- elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface“the altitude gave her a headache”
- the perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to the opposite vertex (or side if parallel)
- angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
Where does altitude come from?
From Middle English, borrowed from Latin altitūdō (“height”), from altus (“high”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying altitude
How do you pronounce altitude?
Say AL-tuh-tood. The American pronunciation is /ˈæltəˌtud/. In British English it is /ˈæltɪˌtjuːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in altitude?
Altitude has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL). Broken into parts: AL · tuh · tood.
Is altitude pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ˈæltɪˌtjuːd/ (AL-tih-tyood).