How to pronounce arborvitae
Say it like ar-ber-VY-tee. Arborvitae has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce arborvitae. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ar
- ber
- VY
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Arborvitae 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.
- berKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- VYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of arborvitae
- 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-VY-tee.
What does arborvitae mean?
- Any of several North American or Asian conifers, of the genera Thuja and Thujopsis or the species Platycladus orientalis, grown for timber or ornament.
- The white nerve tissue of the cerebellum that has a branching structure.
Where does arborvitae come from?
From Latin arbor (“tree”) + vitae (“of life”), literally “tree of life”, probably referring to the evergreen leaves.
Words that rhyme with arborvitae
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of arborvitae.
Questions about saying arborvitae
How do you pronounce arborvitae?
Say ar-ber-VY-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑrbɚˈvaɪti/. In British English it is /ˌɑːbəˈvaɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in arborvitae?
Arborvitae has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VY). Broken into parts: ar · ber · VY · tee.
Is arborvitae 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 /ˌɑːbəˈvaɪti/ (ah-buh-VY-tee).