How to pronounce amaretto
Say it like am-uh-RET-oh. Amaretto has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce amaretto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- am
- uh
- RET
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Amaretto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- amGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of amaretto
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: am-uh-RET-oh.
What does amaretto mean?
- A sweet-bitter liqueur originating from Italy (but also produced in Turkey), flavored with almonds and a secret blend-specific mix of some 200 ingredients such as the pits from apricots, peaches, cherries or other stone fruits.“Amaretto makes a fine digestive.”
- A serving of that liqueur.“Gino has an amaretto on the porch after every elaborate meal.”
- A light Italian cookie made with almonds.
Where does amaretto come from?
From Italian amaretto, from amaro (“bitter”) (from Latin amarus) + diminutive suffix -etto.
Words that rhyme with amaretto
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of amaretto.
Questions about saying amaretto
How do you pronounce amaretto?
Say am-uh-RET-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˌæməˈrɛtoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌæməˈrɛtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in amaretto?
Amaretto has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RET). Broken into parts: am · uh · RET · oh.
Is amaretto pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌæməˈrɛtəʊ/ (am-uh-RET-oh).