How to pronounce arboretum
Say it like ar-buh-REE-tum. Arboretum has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (REE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce arboretum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ar
- buh
- REE
- tum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arboretum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- arGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- buhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- REESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of arboretum
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ah-buh-REE-tum.
What does arboretum mean?
- A place where many varieties of tree are grown for research, educational, and ornamental purposes.
Where does arboretum come from?
Borrowed from Latin arborētum (“place with trees growing, plantation of trees”), from arbor (“tree”).
Questions about saying arboretum
How do you pronounce arboretum?
Say ar-buh-REE-tum. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑrbəˈritəm/. In British English it is /ˌɑːbəˈriːtəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in arboretum?
Arboretum has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (REE). Broken into parts: ar · buh · REE · tum.
Is arboretum 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 /ˌɑːbəˈriːtəm/ (ah-buh-REE-tum).