How to pronounce apostrophe
Say it like uh-PAH-struh-fee. Apostrophe has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAH).
VoiceSpeed
US American/əˈpɑstrəˌfi/uh-PAH-struh-fee
UK British/əˈpɒstrəfi/uh-POS-truh-fee
- uh
- PAH
- struh
- fee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: Four syllables: 'uh-POSS-truh-fee'. The final e is spoken.
Apostrophe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- struhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- feeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of apostrophe
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: uh-POS-truh-fee.
What does apostrophe mean?
noun
- The text character ’, which serves as a punctuation mark in various languages and as a diacritical mark in certain rare contexts.
- A sudden exclamatory piece of dialogue addressed to someone or something, especially absent.
- An arrangement of chlorophyll grains perpendicular to the outer surface of plant cells, as opposed to epistrophe (an arrangement on the outer surface).
Questions about saying apostrophe
How do you pronounce apostrophe?
Say uh-PAH-struh-fee. The American pronunciation is /əˈpɑstrəˌfi/. In British English it is /əˈpɒstrəfi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in apostrophe?
Apostrophe has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAH). Broken into parts: uh · PAH · struh · fee.
Is apostrophe pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /əˈpɒstrəfi/ (uh-POS-truh-fee).